DATA THREATS OVER THE INTERNET
9th July 2004	ICT SECURITY
Volume of confidential data threats increased 148 per cent from 2002 to 2003 according to Symantec
According to Symantec's latest Internet Security Threat Report, threats to privacy and confidentiality are the most rapidly increasing threats, with a 148 per cent growth in volume of malicious code submissions. Older threats compromised confidentiality by exporting random documents, yet more recent viruses and blended threats (which combine the characteristics of viruses, worms, Trojan horses and malicious code with vulnerabilities to spread an attack) also extract passwords, decryption keys and logged keystrokes. The Internet Security Threat Report, which provides a snapshot of global cyber attack trends for the six-month period from July to December 2003, also reveals that blended threats are increasingly targeting backdoors left by other attackers and worms so that they can gain control of a target system and install their own backdoor or use the compromised system to launch a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS). Blended threats - like Blaster, Welchia, SoBig.F and Dumaru - make up 54 per cent of the top ten submissions for the last six months of 2003. More recently, the Doomjuice and Deadhat blended threats both exploited the backdoor left by MyDoom in January this year. Almost one third of all attacking systems targeted the vulnerability exploited by Blaster and its successors. Other worms that surfaced in previous periods continue to survive and target Firewall and IDS systems globally. A sufficient number of unpatched systems remain to sustain them. The report also reveals that out of 220 new vulnerabilities found every month, an average of 99 are high-severity giving attackers increased privileges and access to more prominent targets and 70 per cent are easy to exploit. "Attackers require no specialised knowledge to gain unauthorised access to a network when vulnerabilities are easy to exploit. Tools that aid their access are also readily available," explained Symantec's Technical Services Director, Richard Archdeacon. "And, as the time between disclosure and exploitation of vulnerabilities continues to shrink, zero-day threats that target vulnerabilities before they are known, are expected. Patch management continues to be critical, but companies are struggling to manage it themselves." Cyber Attack Trends: * Financial services, healthcare and power & energy were among the hardest hit by severe events. Critical infrastructure and businesses with significant financial resources tend to experience a relatively high severe attack rate. * Almost one third of all attacking systems targeted the vulnerability exploited by Blaster and its successors. Other worms that surfaced in previous periods continue to survive and target Firewall and IDS systems globally. A sufficient number of unpatched systems remain to sustain them. * Attackers and blended threats increasingly targeted backdoors left by other attackers and worms. By leveraging existing backdoors to gain control of a target system, attackers can install their own backdoor, or use the compromised system to participate in a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS). * A large number of attackers targeted common peer-to-peer file sharing ports, occupying three out of ten positions in the ranking. This reflects on the increased popularity of peer-to-peer file sharing and the tendency for organizations to filter this traffic. * Over 70% of clients with a Managed Security Services tenure of more than six months successfully avoided experiencing a severe attack, while all new clients (less than three months tenure) did experience such an attack. Vulnerability Trends: * Symantec documented 2,636 new vulnerabilities in 2003, an average of seven per day. This is a less than 2% increase over 2002, indicating that a plateau may have been reached. This may be due to the number of easily found low-severity vulnerabilities being exhausted, a shift towards keeping vulnerability details private, or a leveling in the number of new vulnerability researchers. Conversely, the increase from 2001 to 2002 was 81%. * Newly discovered vulnerabilities are increasingly severe. Accordingly, the number of low severity vulnerabilities is decreasing. High-severity vulnerabilities give increased privileges and access to more prominent targets. Close to 80% of vulnerabilities are remotely exploitable, and many also affect Web applications, further driving this trend. * Symantec reports that 70% of the vulnerabilities found in 2003 could be easily exploited, due to the fact that no exploit was required or an exploit was readily available. This is a 10% increase over 2002, where only 60% were easily exploitable. * This trend is driven by a 6% rise in the percentage of vulnerabilities requiring no exploit code, and a 5% increase in the percentage of vulnerabilities that had exploit code published. (10% of vulnerabilities had exploit code in 2002, 15% in 2003). Malicious Code Trends: * While blended threats previously targeted common server vulnerabilities (Web and database) they are now targeting core operating system component vulnerabilities such as Microsoft Windows DCOM RPC, present on both corporate and consumer networks. * Blended threats make up 54% of the top ten submissions over the past six months. Blaster alone accounted for 7% of the top ten submissions in the second half of 2003. * Two and a half times the number of Win32 viruses and worms were observed by Symantec than over the same period in 2002. Over the second half of 2003, Symantec documented more than 1702 new Win32 viruses and worms, a 250% increase over the 687 documented in the second half of 2002. * Within the top ten malicious code submissions, the number of mass-mailer worms with their own mail engine increased by 61% over the first half of 2003. * From 2002 to 2003, the volume of confidential data threats in the top 50 submissions increased 148%. Previously, 22% of Symantec's top ten malicious code submissions were a threat to privacy and confidentiality of data. In the past six months, the volume of such submissions has risen to 78%. Enterprise Best Practices: 1. Turn off and remove unneeded services. 2. If a blended threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied. 3. Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services. 4. Enforce a password policy. 5. Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files. 6. Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media. 7. Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. 8. Ensure emergency response procedures are in place. 9. Educate management on security budgeting needs. 10. Test security to ensure adequate controls are in place. The Symantec Internet Security Threat Report is the most comprehensive analysis of the global cyber attack landscape available today. Symantec has some of the most comprehensive sources of Internet threat data in the world - 20,000 security devices deployed in over 180 countries by Symantec DeepSight Threat Management System and Symantec Managed Security Services gather Internet attack activity data. Analysts in five Security Operations Centers throughout the world monitor and evaluate this data, providing Symantec with an unparalleled ability to identify, report on, and respond to emerging threats. Symantec also maintains one of the world's most comprehensive databases of security vulnerabilities, covering over 9,000 vulnerabilities affecting over 20,000 technologies from over 2,000 vendors. And the company operates BugTraq, the highly popular forum for the disclosure and discussion of vulnerabilities on the Internet. Symantec also gathers malicious code data from over 120 million client, server, and gateway systems.

VOIP
9th July 2004	ICT SECURITY
Vulnerability over Internet Protocol
During the past few years the two most significant focuses for remaining IT budget have been security and cost saving systems capable of demonstrating rapid ROI. But in almost all areas of business there is a trade off between risk and cost. As companies have double-locked the doors by spending on security for the data network, they may have left the windows open by pursuing saving in areas such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). The VoIP ‘revolution’ has been talked of since the 1990’s as the ‘next big thing’ in the enterprise telecoms sector; saving companies vast amounts of money on both call charges and internal network infrastructure and support costs. But just as the VoIP market is finally taking a cautious step towards delivering some of its long-overdue promise, the increasing priority of IT security may force it two steps back. Recent research, by Secure Test, on the Cisco 7900 series VoIP phones have revealed serious security concerns (Note: Secure Test have independently tested the Cisco 7900 as this is the most widely used enterprise VoIP solution. Similar problems may well exist in other vendors products). With susceptibility to both DoS (denial of service) attacks and interception issues, it is clear that transferring phone systems to an IP network opens them up to many of the same security concerns as Ethernet data networks. More worryingly, phone systems may be harder or even impossible to patch. Like many IP devices Cisco’s VoIP phones are vulnerable to ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) spoofing, allowing ‘man-in-the-middle’ attacks and including data interception and packet injection. This means that any VoIP phone can be tapped by anyone else with a phone on the same network, any individual VoIP phone can be crashed easily and any VoIP network infrastructure is heavily vulnerable to DoS attacks. Looking first at the vulnerabilities of VoIP phones to DoS attacks, Secure Test’s initial research has shown that Cisco 7900 series phones, specifically where running the default Skinny (SCCP) protocol for messaging, can be crashed relatively easily using one of several methods. By attaching a PC to the VoIP network it is possible to send malformed messages to a target phone or to cause a buffer overflow on one of several fields resulting in a crash. By performing any of these attacks on the switchboard phone, research demonstrated that it would be relatively trivial for an attacker to disable an entire phone system in minutes. Further research then went on to show that using a similar DoS attack, a Cisco 1760 VoIP enabled router was also vulnerable. Sending a message of 50,000 characters plus to port 2000 (the TCP port used by the router to communicate with the phones) causes every VoIP phone on the network to reboot or crash, completely disrupting communications. Given the number of Cisco VoIP implementations in companies where the telephone constitutes a business critical system this vulnerability quite rightly send chills down the spine of many a communications manager, especially as avoiding the problem is difficult. Ideally, Cisco would release a patch to better handle malformed or malicious traffic and recover from network errors. However, whilst Secure Test responsibly informed the vendor of the problems several months ago, as yet, there have been no visible signs of progress. Understandably there may be greater problems in patching ‘dumber’ devices such as telephone hardware, relative to providing security updates for PC’s and servers. But, if the window of exposure cannot be effectively shortened by a company with the development capacity of Cisco, this could be seen as a good argument not to run phones on open IP networks until these problems have been overcome. Having discovered the vulnerabilities with regard to DoS attacks, tests then moved on to see whether the ARP spoofing attacks, specifically data interception, were possible. Any fan of spy films will know that telephone tapping is perfectly possible on traditional PSTN based phones. Since this usually requires a hardwire tap to be set into the PBX, however, this becomes a question of the physical security of the core infrastructure. Initial tests on VoIP phones, however, have shown that where data is not encrypted, it is relatively easy to intercept, listen-in on or record conversations on any phone, from any other phone point on the network. Worryingly, most of the commonly used VoIP phones do not encrypt traffic by default and currently, many do not even support the necessary protocols to make this possible. Initial tests on the Cisco 7900 have proved that it is possible to carry out an ARP attack on a target phone which draws the data stream through the attackers computer. As any conversation is transmitted in the clear using standard RTP (Real time Transfer Protocol), this can easily be decoded, listened in-on and recombined in real time, leaving the victim(s) none the wiser. As researchers found it relatively simple to develop a tool to automate this process, it can safely be assumed that such tools are freely available on the Internet. This means that where VoIP handsets do not support the secure RTP protocol necessary to protect traffic (as with all current Cisco phones) it should be assumed that all communications could be intercepted. All of the attacks outlined above are difficult to guard against as they work using the very essence of convergence; that you do not physically segregate the data network and the phone system. Even where separate IP networks are used, you can simply plug a PC in to the telephone network via the phone port. As one of the major advantages of VoIP is computer telephony integration (ie. screen pop-up with call information and multi-channel CRM systems) most hardware phones contain a built in switch to allow a PC and a phone to occupy the same port. Looking beyond this, the increased sophistication of an IP based telephone network even makes it easier to create Trojans to carry out these and other attacks remotely. Secure Test most recent studies suggest that once a network has been infected, this makes is perfectly feasible to tap VoIP calls and carry out DoS attacks remotely from outside the company network. Article contributed exclusively to Security Park by Wil Allsopp, consultant at Secure Test. Secure Test will be demonstrating VoIP vulnerabilities over Internet Protocols on their stand at Infosecurity Europe 2004 at London Olympia from 27th to the 29th April 2004. www.infosec.co.uk

Port Security
9th July 2004	IMO-ISPS CODE
Port operators urge government to speed up action on security
Operators of Tema and Takoradi ports have called on the government to speed up action towards the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code to enable Ghana to meet the deadline on security for ports worldwide. They made the call in a resolution adopted at the end of a five-day seminar on "Maritime Security" jointly organised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Ministry of Ports, Harbours and Railways and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for port operators in Tema. The call, according to them was in view of the short period to the mandatory implementation date of July 1, 2004 and the deadline for all ports to put in place effective security measures to strengthen ship and port safety and security to prevent and suppress terrorist acts directed against ports or infiltrators. The participants appealed to the IMO to continue offering technical assistance towards the implementation of the ISPS code. Closing the seminar, Dr Gheysika A. Agambilla, Deputy Minister for Ports, Harbours and Railways said the human element was considered very crucial for the success of implementing the IMO instruments. He gave the assurance of Ghana's preparedness to meet the deadline as factors were being gathered towards achieving the goal. He said the National Maritime Security Committee would start work this week to advise on the appointment of security officers of the two ports while a maritime security co-ordinator would also be appointed by the Ministry to handle security matters under the supervision of the Shipping Commissioner. Dr Agambilla said the policy of government to transform the ports into shipping gateways to West and Central Africa still remained and would work towards achieving it. Following the September 11, 2001 tragic event, the international maritime community adopted new provision in the international convention for the safety of life at sea. The International Ship and Port facility Security Code obliges ships and port facilities to take security measures at all levels leading to considerable tightening up of security in the world's ports including those of Ghana.

ICT SECURITY - A CONCERN FOR AFRICA
9th July 2004	ICT SECURITY
MEETING THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES FROM A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
Syl Juxon Smith BSc (Business Administration) Dip.Intl.Trade Member WABA (West African Business Association) Member ASIS (American Society of Industrial Security) Advancing Security Worldwide ICT SECURITY - A CONCERN FOR AFRICA MEETING THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES FROM A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE “Any neglect or fear of Security in ICT is of ones ignorance of global events. Our best friend today is communications and our greatest enemy is in our ability to or not to communicate”. By SJS ICT security is today’s biggest challenge and threat to overall development in every facet of African society chained down to the digital highway. It is a development stake holders, governments, private and the public sector continues to neglect and not heed to international warnings and signals. This lackadaisical attitude generally with regards to hardware, software and manpower security in the use of especially computers and other communications infrastructure is a cause for alarm slowly developing into a virus capable of rendering businesses, security agencies and government institutions very vulnerable to consequences detrimental to its vision, efforts and aspirations. National security, financial institutions and overall development is threatened thereby affecting businesses, trade and investment. Attracting genuine long term businesses and serious investors to any African country today is purely based not necessarily on the merits of its minerals, produce or potential of human resources capacity but primarily determined by its risk and threat factors. This is why it is very imperative for Africa to demonstrate its willingness, steadfastness and ability to confront and contain this negative scenario by putting in place the right mechanism and solutions with a positive approach to gain international recognition and approbations that will eventually bring fourth and yield the right dividends. Wars are not won today by the capacity of manpower ability on the ground but by technology. Global security is not preserve by the physical manpower deployed in airports, harbours, offices, hospitals, hotels, schools, petrol stations, supermarkets, residences, banks and other installations but by technology. Technology ensures, maintains, assures and guarantees reliable and efficient security. After the event of September 11 in the USA, the conclusion was that security in technology failed America. Lack of stringent, coherent and well defined security policy for ICT infrastructures and manpower labour personnel was the major cause of the tragedy and disaster. Security organisations namely FBI, CIA and others were not coordinating cordially and fragmented in their dissemination of information timely to the decision makers. Out of this phenomenon overall radical changes were effected in security and technology. The homeland security department was setup to be the overall coordinator. A case was made to the American people after the experience for its creation. It was legislated and ratified to cover its modus operandi. Africa needs to look at this concept, develop and formulate its own ICT Security policy to befit its own realities in order to meet the demands of international obligations, synchronising with international security policies for technology and security. Countries wanting to avert such crisis and valued security has upgraded their safety and security fairly rapidly over the course of the last two years. This has made terrorists and cyber criminals searching for alternative “softer target” options that do not have high level of security in technology in place. Africa is fast becoming one such. Very frightening, this is the reality. Kenya and Tanzania are typical example to always remember and reflect on. Any neglect or fear of security in ICT is of ones ignorance of coming events, always casting its shadows. Our best friend today is communications and our greatest enemy is in our ability to or not to communicate. The global information highway is virtually fast becoming congested with all level of communications infrastructures, public, private, governmental and commercial including modern technological advancements and developments. Without proper and due diligence in enforcing conformity and uniformity the end result is chaos, confusion and disaster. GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY, DATA PROTECTION ACT AND ICT SECURITY Surprisingly, African governments and their legislators has not come up with legal parameters in line with all international norms and laws including good practice guide to enable recorded and stolen proprietary contents be used as evidence in a court of law. The Data Protection Act relates to data processing of all types. As Africa especially Ghana is embracing technology to enhance its objective of developing a Golden Age of Business concept, without any data protection laws in place will be futile and of serious consequences in the not too distant future. As ICT grows and spreading faster than most nations or players can cope, it is of vital necessity a mechanism conducting and regulating its affairs be immediately embarked upon. The machinery of African governance is plague with serious white collar crimes affecting its day to day activities because of the lack of well designed and defined ICT security policy for technology to contain, theft or leakage of vital information, robbery to its assets, misuse and abuse of its infrastructures namely telephones, computers, faxes, access controls, CCTV systems and last but not least the very manpower dedicated to operational responsibilities of these technologies. It is costing governments annually in African countries between $3.000.000.00 to $5.000.000.00(million dollars) in unaccounted expenditure related to ICT and its operational misuse. Telephone systems are one main culprit. Its misuse arising from uncontrollable and unwarranted calls both locally and internationally. Offices and residences of top government functionaries, diplomats, ministers, and executives are all equipped with IDD facilities that are neither regulated, controlled nor secure. Basis of these lapses also affects computers connecting to the internet via these hubs making it very vulnerable to hawkers, opponents, rivals and saboteurs making the whole platform ripe and easier for industrial espionage activities. These occurrences tarnish government’s integrity and image affecting its ability to maintain and protect its oath of secrecy in its governance. Individuals chosen as part of a work force to operate or manned ICT infrastructures are as good as the infrastructure. Ethical issues play vital and integral part in this analysis. But “for as long as people are always exposed to situations in their daily avocation that provokes the promotions of their vices, sabotage and threat is always looming” were emolument is not commensurate to job description and expectations. Measuring from a perspective were a persons obligation domestically or socially surpasses income for doing a job were he has to judge between survival and ethics. The morality to choose sabotage, accept brides or nefarious behaviour in the work place is a sociological problem within society. Properly well defined policy for security of technology in government offices and other institutions is well overdue. Governments coming of age in the global revolution in ICT must try and create special task force that look into the management and operational aspect of security in technology using basic concept in its methodology below covering:- I. Standardisation, Conformity, Legal Requirements, Rules and Regulations. II. Data Protection Acts which must cover: - Fairness, Objectivity and Confidentiality. III. Indemnity and Procedures. It must be coherent and well defined to promote and establish a uniformity of conduct in applications of choices with regards to infrastructures, vetting and controlling users and servicing personal contracted to handle and install communications appliances, establishing a structure for overall system monitoring and administration in all departments and offices. In addition to the normal information security issues, governments bureaucracy all over is now facing a host of regulatory requirements intended to endure the pace of technology and the security of digital data which forms the infrastructure of its bureaucracy. A case in point is the intervention by the Zimbabwean government on data issues relating to ICT without any data act been in place or promulgated. When these institutions wishes to exert control or obtain confidential or proprietary information in ICT infrastructure the legal and security functions process gets complicated in the absence of policy guidelines and procedures. Government must stop looking at communications from a subversive perspective. Because of the lack of initiatives, proper and decent infrastructure for communications, governments tend to be apprehensive to better and radical proposals for partnership, upgrade or overhauling of its existing systems. Investors or local entrepreneurs are viewed negatively in their quest to develop proper local independent networks into villages, big towns and cities. African governments must allow the visions of its people and partners to prevail and flourish. This can only be for the benefits of its aspirations, expectations of the people and the African continent in general. PRIVATISATION Privatisation of the Communications industry is very good for countries without proper basic infrastructure to serve its populace. Local attitude and approach on this issue is what should be carefully considered and looked at with utmost scrutiny. African countries must set themselves details of priorities within their ICT sector. First of all what are they hoping to achieve by privatising and what is the time factor involve in achieving its objectives. Very basic and simple perspective without jargons. By having a good deal in privatisation can bring good results in improving standards of both infrastructures as well as the local technical manpower skills, inclusive factors that can be geared towards maximising human capacity resource pool benefits work force for continuity rather than economic profits which at the end would be spent on expatriate management. WIFI TECHNOLOGY Wireless WIFI technology is the answer to Africa’s communications problem. It can have great impact on countries without proper local infrastructure for communications. Things can only be better by improving on what already exists by strategic partnership in management and expansion. Creating an affordable ICT strategy locally is not a short-term project, but considering immediate and alternative cost effective solutions can help solve high demands from the ever growing needs of its enthusiast and general users. AIRPORTS AND HARBOURS African airports and harbours are faced with vulnerable and high risk tendencies. Continual political interferences and lethargy influences serious willingness to undertake development in its security infrastructure defining proper risk and threat analyses programme, a situation which in a nutshell must be effected and implemented for uniformity of conduct and compliance to international rules and obligations that controls and regulates operations. This is a task and responsibility for the technocrats to play by the rules and advice their ministers and governments accordingly. But unfortunately they do not and will have a long and bleak road ahead if they continue to fail to observe the modus operandi of international rules and regulations. Politics plays a very vital role in decisions across the board in institutions and governmental agencies i.e. airports, harbours, telecoms, electricity, water and parastatal were governments are the major shareholders. Secondly, head of these institutions are mostly favoured not by their merits rather by their relationships, political affiliations or connections which impair their ability to be sincere, diligent, committed and ethical. This is the main factor responsible for the failure and total collapse of many institutions under government’s control. Today we are experiencing the effects of this anomaly in overall annual fiscal budgetary GDP and GNP. One cannot distinguish between who is a technocrat and who is a bureaucrat? When there is a conference of technical importance a bureaucrat attends because he is more connected, bringing back nothing of any importance to communicate. We sacrifice national gain for personal aggrandisements and benefits to the detriment of our national integrity. ICT Security cannot be compromise; it is the bedrock of technology. It has rules and regulations for compliance to adhere to spelled out in documents, codes, conventions and protocols, governments and nations have entered into on behalf of their people. Its consequences are too grave to bear on ones conscience and country that can affect generations yet unborn. The two important assets of a country is its airport and harbour which serves as the gateway the entry and exit point. Its operational standards and security policies must be taken seriously and executed vigorously without compromise. Today we are witnessing radical changes in these two sectors globally. Failing to adapt or comply with these changes will bear severely on any country and adverse on it economy. The IMO-ISPS code is the bible of ports operations, whereas ICAO-IFALPA/ASP is for airport operations. Drastic changes and updates have taken place to meets today’s global realities in both industries with regard to policies. Local government security apparatus must not be complimented in the overall day to day operations of both harbour and airport except on critical high alerts moments in which their role must be clearly define accordingly. Operational rules and regulations must be interpreted without compromise as it is enshrined in existing updated protocol and conventions governments’ bears witness to and a signatory. Security bodies manning airports and harbours globally (with special attention to Africa) as stated must be autonomous and self regulated maintaining international conventions and protocol while observing local legislations. It is very complex for African industries to easily meet all the requirements in compliance because of ambiguity. While in Europe harbours and airports are virtually private investment driven and controlled, it is the opposite in Africa were all airports and harbours are owned and controlled by the state. Security systems and manpower in African harbours and port must now meet new standards according to international criteria in other for its activities to be certified and white listed. Any vessel that uses an African port not certified under the updated IMO ISPS code will not gain entrance into any European or American ports as of 1stJuly 2004. A development and challenges that must be taken seriously. This can be disastrous to Africa that depends on export of raw materials and produces for its fiscal budgetary and imports to service its GDP and GNP. BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS African banks in its quest for development to meet modern operational standards must borrow a leaf from The Banking Industry Technology Secretariat (BITS), a consortium of financial institution that address “emerging issues where financial services, technology and commerce intersect,” has created a matrix to help risks and regulatory compliance issues that arise in connection with outsourcing of security soft and hardware technology. Based on ISO 17799, a generic set of information-security best practices, the BIT matrix covers ten security-control, personnel, physical and environmental security, and business continuity management. The matrix provides a definition of each area explains what can and should be accepted from providers, lists documents that may be requested and gives sample questions that should be asked when outsourcing. For example, when hiring a company to assist with business continuity management, expectations include comprehensive continuity plans that are tested annually, with the results of those tests made available to the hiring company as part of requested documentations, questions for a provider of business continuity management fall into a number of subcategories. For recovery service levels, outsource companies can be asked about through output and response time while operating in recovery mode; for event management, they should be asked whether there is a designated command centre where managers can meet, organize and conduct emergency operations. While this matrix was created specifically for the financial service sector, it could also help other organizations that need guidance when they are considering hiring an outside consultant or company to assist with electronic security policy and services. Financial institutions must focus on two issues: how the company could maximise the value of choice and what type of technology will best meet that objective. It must be consistent with the company’s IT procedures, the system needed to operate on an open-architecture platform, be serviceable by numerous vendors and avoid reliance on proprietary technology. Other factors included adaptability for future security applications and value-added solutions, such as ATM transaction data integration, database management, and automated watchdog applications. THE WAY FORWARD IN CONCLUSION Africa must relate its decisions especially in sourcing its infrastructure, tender purchases and choices in ICT to criteria which enables and empower decision makers to look for the best solutions in maximising its investments including the human capacity building initiatives for manpower sustainability and resource pooling. Developing local legislations to meet present realities can be very challenging because most of the major predicaments and confrontation in ICT (voice and data communications traffic) comes not only locally but from external interference and hawkers sometimes working with insiders. Most times this is due to our negligence in not taking seriously into consideration proper basic operational procedures and securing our systems. Ensuring and providing specific technical measures as well as ideas for industry self–regulation, increased users and consumer’s awareness and international cooperation is a quantum step forward. Communication is education, education is information and information is progress and development. Any individual, governments, institution or country that is not progressive, is not creative and lacks vision. A people or nation without vision cannot survive or succeed on its own. He is like a blind man waiting to be lead. Africans always respects outside professionals than their own sons and daughters. Waiting for others to take the initiatives, copy, imitates, plagiarising others ideas, using others business plans, requested projects and proposals reproduction in tenders and bids. This has generated bad blood within its ICT, the private and public sector including outside professionals now refusing to part or entrust patents and useful information leaving the very industry in a poor state of affairs today. Trust in strategic partnership is a prerequisite, Coordination and Cooperation is an essential criterion for growth and success in any deliberation. Communications in Africa today is very appalling, in chaos and in deplorable and disgraceful state, taking into consideration our manpower, intellectual, academicals and mineral resources should have given us the leverage wising up in choosing the necessary sustainable investments to move a nation and the continent forward. Bill Gates the greatest man today in ICT did not complete university education which must be retrospect upon, bearing on our approach from an academic “Mr know it all” perspective which is a contributing factor responsible for the snail pace approach to conclusion of projects and businesses. We must stop the hyping and stick to the basic tenets and principle of the objectives. For as long as we continue to act selfishly with knowledge, unethically and neglect communications, information technology and security, we indirectly undermine education. We continue to degenerate and remain backward and unproductive. Finally priority must be endorsed in our fiscal budgetary for ICT in our educational system and institutions. A mechanism must be put in place: - 1. To regulate and standardised more effectively the industry. 2. Map out a clear agenda for national development and countrywide satellite coverage plans. 3. Commercially viable cost effective projects in line with developmental policies. These issues should be in line with providing and directing investments in ICT within a broader spectrum rather than the present status quo making it a privileged rather than a priority. Africa is not getting a fair share in global communications opportunities because as a stake holder in the global highway project formulations is not making good of the tremendous opportunities comprehensively and innovatively enough without an African Home Grown concept initiative or coherent viable ICT policy agenda. It needs to translate ICT policies into economic planning inclusive of the ingredients to promote growth, which in return brings fourth profitable dividends, manpower investments strategies to the business sector, institutions and the overall bureaucracy for the welfare and benefit to its people in particular and the continent in general

WITH HINDSIGHT -THE WAY FORWARD PART 111: - 23/03/03
7th January 2003	Business and Politics
Business, Politics and Corruption - the Case of Sierra Leone
By Syl Juxon Smith Enter the Problem The facet of Sierra Leone existence has being embroiled in bad governance and wide spread corruption from time immemorial in its politics and leadership, including its bureaucracy. The system rejects the pursuit of a broader project of creating a state that serves a collective good or even creating institutions that are capable of developing independent perspectives and acting on behalf of interests distinct from its past and present leadership personal exercise of power. Economic development is abjured when it threatens to put resources into the hands of those who might use them to challenge the leaders' position. Consequently, anxious leaders contract a wide array of economic roles to outsiders, in part to deny resources to internal rivals and to use outsiders' skills and connections to gather as much wealth as possible then convert wealth into political resources, buying the loyalty of some and buying weapons to coerce others and thus gather more resources and so on. More significantly, the virtual total absence of bureaucratic state institutions, or "state collapse," means outsiders also take on a wider range of political roles conventionally reserved for state institutions, such as providing internal security for leaders and diplomatic relations with other outsiders. Indeed, Sierra Leone politics was marked by intense patronage system after independence. Successive leaders found themselves presiding over a diverse society in which colonial rulers had not created with the intention that it would become a sovereign state. Individuals who exercised power in their own right create a "shadow state," a very real, bur not formally recognised, patronised system that was rigidly organised and centered on leaders' control over resources for personal gains rather than for the benefits of the country and its people. Every valuable mineral asset in Sierra Leone has been mortgaged to various international conglomerates in partnership with past and present governments. The economy is in complete shambles, depending on handouts from the international donor agencies including the IMF and World Bank for its sustenance. Purpose of the Study One of the aims of this study is to document the behaviors and attitudes of business entrepreneurs, politicians and their cohorts. Behavior of the political and business elite that affect the ability of the state to progress and function effectively in which corruption is seen as a way of life and necessity. The business entrepreneurs and politicians who are supposed to be "pace-setters'' and leading exemplary lives are a dreadful disappointment in setting standards for society. They engage in persistent corruption evidenced by the numerous scandals and inquiries and many have received only minimal penalties. Sierra Leonean's are quite serious about reducing corruption and are willing to support specific measures. Government should place a high priority on reduction measures to ensure some level of accountability and transparency. However, in terms of specificity, people think corruption will not be reduced; many believe reduction is unlikely; those living in very poor conditions do not think it will be reduced; and people with more possessions think it is impossible to reduce corruption. It is critical to understand that whatever measures are taken to successfully fight this malaise must involve the public. Citizens need to be sensitive about corruption by either refusing to take or give bribes. Civil Society and Non-governmental organizations should play a significant role to help restore national values by getting involved in the fight against corruption and bad governance. Statement of Hypotheses There are two questions in these hypotheses that are very paramount to this study. The first one is corruption in government perpetrated mainly by ministers and senior government officials, and the second is corruption in society involving elite businessmen and their political partners, including the head of state. Why do ministers need to be so corrupt with impunity that they do not even care about the country and repercussion? And secondly, why are businessmen so entrenched into politics and basically influencing the general activities of government to an extent and getting away with it? Corruption Corruption exists in varying degrees in all political systems in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The term apolitical "political corruption' has a multiplicity of meanings and has been defined variously by numerous authors. There are important differences between "corruption" as defined in the official laws of various nations, "corruption" as it affects the public, and "corruption" as defined by public opinion-by the people who are both the ultimate authorities in democratic nations and the ones who by their complacency and their collusion may contribute to corrupt activities, or by their vigilance and integrity may assist authorities in monitoring public officials. Since there is no unanimity in approach to defining corruption, it is important there to note, as have other scholars, that the term. "Corruption" is a relative concept. In other words, the norms and specifics of one society do not always agree or correspond to the norms of another society. This includes such behavior as bribery (use of rewards to pervert the judgment of a person in a position of trust); nepotism (bestowal of patronage by reason of inscriptive relationship rather than merit); and misappropriation (illegal appropriation of public resources for private uses). Some scholars have noted certain limitations with public office definitions of corruption particularly with the thesis that it is behavior, which deviates from normal duties or violates rules. This part of the definition leads to major variations in what different nations see as corruption. Some governments do not have formal rules about official and bureaucrats mix their officials duties and their private business affairs. In order words, the "normal duties" of an official in one country may include accepting "gifts" or making a decision even if it involves a conflict of interest. In Sierra Leone, there are on rules forbidding these acts, or public expectations may indicate that they are "normal" in society. Therefore, they fall outside the definition of corruption in those nations even though those acts would be labelled corrupt in other nations. Johnston offers an "environmental" theory for the cause of corruption. Corrupt conduct can only be identified and understood in its context. It grows out of fundamental forces and tensions in the political system rather than out of individual misbehavior, structural deficiencies, or insufficient ethical training. All these aspects of the political system can be addressed, he thinks, yet corruption and the forces that sustain it may still play a part in politics. This is primary because government is such an important source of goods, services, money, decisions and authority. The basic pressures and tensions that make corruption so advantageous and tempting are products not of so called "bad" people to whom society have entrusted political power, nor necessarily of flawed institutions, but rather of government's relationship to society. Traditions, customs and widespread political attitudes all influence corruption, but so does the role which society assigns to government. The frequency with which corruption sparks scandals and coups is an indication that this issue is often far from settled. Johnson noted that it is difficult to do comparative analyses across nations because the standards used to judge behavior differ. Instead, corruption must be judged by a society's own legal and cultural standards and those of the state including both dominant values of the society and its basic institutions. Victor T. LeVine, an expert on African politics argues that in some countries that there is a culture of corruption and an informal polity. He discusses this point in his work by quoting a Ghanaian: "We Ghanaians are so accustomed to bribing our officials, and they too stealing our rate-moneys, that it would be considered odd if we didn't bribe and they didn't steal. The culture LeVine argues "embodies certain supportive values, orientations, and expectations that not only scope of corruption but determine its focus (ie who should be bribed) and its modus operandi (e.g., how and when a transaction ought to be initiated and how much it should cost). Thus it is more than likely, even perhaps both necessary and desirable, that "proof" of a culture of political corruption consists of a compound of data-published documentation, personal intuitions and observations, the cumulative observations and judgments of others, and a wide range of circumstantial evidence. Undeniably, such evidence is likely to be empirically deficient in many respects. The point here is that in Sierra Leone where conception has been widespread it is difficult to eradicate by simply stopping bribery. It is a practical stratagem, which affords one a workable way of looking after one's needs and interests and achieving income and security. Bribery is so deeply ingrained in the system that it is a practical necessity for getting business done in both the public and private sectors. You can "get things done quickly" if you play the game and offer suitable bribes to appropriate people. Market-centered definitions seem to have particular relevance to those who pursue an economic analysis of these illegal activities. Some scholars maintain corruption in everyday life means a civil servant abuses his authority in order to obtain an extra income. In other words, a corrupt civil servant regards his public office as a business, the income from which he will seek to maximize. This economic definition of conception holds true in many African countries such as Sierra Leone, where bribery constitutes an important means by which, individual wants and needs are satisfied. This Definition is useful in this study because of the focus on bureaucratic corruption and the abuse of public office for illegal private gain. Public opinion definitions are of vital interest in this study. How do the people of Sierra Leone define corruption? It is important to understand how it is defined in a particular country primarily because if there are significant differences between a nation's laws and how most citizens define corrupt behavior, official and government employees will be guided more by local statute. Citizens' values are likely to affect how they behave-whether they will offer bribes or abide by the law. Once public opinion about corruption in Sierra Leone is understood, we will better know how to develop effective law enforcement. One of the limitations of using public opinion is the significant variation in definitions. For example, a Sierra Leonean might think nothing of giving a gift to a judge presiding over a case in which he was involved. Samuel Huntington, the author of Political Order in Changing Societies, examining corruption in the process of development, saw it as:"One measure of ineffective political institutionalisation which is prevalent during the most intense phase of modernization; it is not so much the result of deviance of behavior from accepted norms, but deviance of norms from established patterns of behavior". Controlling corruption is one of the greatest challenges to the establishment and consolidation of democratic systems in Africa. The centralised nature of African governments and the lack of transparency and accountability have contributed significantly in making the continent a breeding ground for corruption. Africans hold the state responsible for their economic hardships in large part because of widespread abuse in official circles. Paradoxically, this abuse has fostered democratisation by forcing groups within civil society to take matters into their own hands. Consequently, in many African nations, real political process and legitimate link between state and society has yet to grow. Corruption is linked to this dilemma. Corruption in Sierra Leone is usually a manifestation of the weaknesses of the bourgeoisie, the ineffectual role and place of the state, the structure of production and accumulation and an impotent economy and society. The state has inadvertently encouraged fiscal irresponsibility by inconsistently prosecuting those suspected of fraud and failing to enforce anticorruption laws. More important, given the state's inability to meet the basic needs of people in an increasingly difficult and hostile economy and society, people have come to rely on illegal, unorthodox and corrupt mechanisms to survive. Mass poverty, unemployment, elites' abuse of power, neglect of rural areas and vulnerable groups have encouraged the spread of corruption. Sierra Leone's 1992 commissions of inquiry revealed nauseating and enumerable cases of rampant corruption, so-called day light robbery by politicians; grotesque abuses of office by civil servants; theft and cheating by government contractors; and collusion between foreign and local businessmen and trans national corporations to plunder the state of money goods and services. Aid donors are increasingly insistent that political reforms reduce corruption and increase financial accountability, increase sensitivity to human rights violation, institute and protect an independent press and judiciary, and promote measures to encourage participatory politics and a liberalised market economy. Only with these reforms can countries plagued with economic stability move closer to the ultimate goal of meaningful growth and development. Furthermore, donor countries and organisations now insist that African countries address issues of democracy and governance to ensure broad-based sustainable growth. These are all positive signs for recipient countries. This new insistence on good governance provides a window of opportunity for Sierra Leone democracy to push for transparency and accountability. Some theorists place the blame squarely on African leadership by arguing: "If the society is corrupt, tribalistic, nepotic, extravagant and ridden with violence, it is because its aristocrats - its leaders and rulers and the middle-class-are corrupt, sectionalist, violent and roguish. The day that leadership destroys the canker worm within itself, the rank and file of the society will be frightened to indulge in questionable and sharp practices. Therefore, if we want to reform society we must first reform the calibre of the aristocracy". The Sierra Leone Mafia Organized crime in Africa especially in Sierra Leone, invests in legitimate businesses not only to 'launder' dirty money but also to make capital for their illegal activities. The preferred business endeavors for this are luxury real estate, supermarkets, wholesale and retail shops, gold and diamond export dealings, import and export, car dealings, hotels, and banking, contracts and supplies. The dirty money of organized crime is utilized by the commercial banks for its activities: loans, investments in financial markets, purchase of bonds for foreign debt, buying and selling of gold and stocks. 'In many countries, the criminal organizations have become the creditors of the States and they exert, because of their actions on the markets, an influence over the macroeconomic politics of the governments. In addition to the laundering of dirty money, taxes are evaded while some elite benefits the countries leaving the continent to continue to decay. Sophisticated and modern High technology facilitates crimes and permits the rapid circulation of money and the disappearance of illegal profits. "The legal and illegal businesses overlap more and more, they introduce a fundamental change in the structures of a countries economy especially those out of post-war era like Sierra Leone. Africa's mafias including foreign and local players invest in legal businesses, and inversely, they channel financial resources towards the criminal economy, through the control of banks and commercial companies leading to the laundering of dirty money. The banks pretend that the transactions are carried out in good faith and ignore the origin of the funds deposited. The rule is to ask no questions, the bank officials and the anonymity of transactions, this entire guarantee the interests of organized crime they protect the banking institution from public investigations and from blame. Not only do the large banks accept laundered money, in view of their heavy commissions, but they also concede credits at high interest rates to syndicates, to the detriment of productive individuals and entrepreneurs. "Bato" Politics Grand corruption in this category where our African elite falls in, has been defined as 'the misuse of public power by heads of state, ministers and senior officials for private pecuniary gain'. With grand corruption we are dealing with highly placed individuals who exploit their position to extract large bribes from representatives of transnational corporations; business contractors, arms dealers, fly by night briefcase businessmen, diamond and gold dealers, drug barons and the like, who appropriate significant pay-offs from contract scams, or who simply transfer large sums of money from the public treasury into private usually overseas bank accounts. Economic crimes deserving attention fall into two categories: first, are those that harm large numbers by enforcing an economic policy that serves the elite, as with Camdessus' 'structural adjustment' programs for poor countries. A second form of crime is large-scale theft, by African politicians, governmental officials, and syndicates (Africa's Mafia) supported by Arabs mainly Lebanese and Europeans networks. This has been the main factor for our economic woes, which makes the economy very complex and difficult in devising prudent measures and making headway in solutions, because we lack the courage and are afraid not bold enough to tackle the problem from its roots. Sierra Leoneans are very much aware of the involvement of certain groups of aliens that are now part of the structure of its body politics and economy. Casting our minds back for one moment to the last military coup in 1997. During this period of interregnum, UN sanctions and embargoes were placed on the military regime. Lebanese businessmen in concert with other Europeans, broke these sanctions by importing fuel, rice including weapons into the country. A list was prepared with names of collaborators and saboteurs including foreigners living and doing business in the country. Many Sierra Leoneans paid dearly losing their lives to MOB JUSTICE executed by government party loyalists and militias all in the name of democracy. Foreigners mainly Lebanese who benefited and continue to profit from our political confusions and corruption were never targeted but protected. Nothing punitive or judicial action taken, no Lebanese was tried or imprisoned. Yet all were pardoned and allowed back into the county to continue their exploitative businesses that bring no gains or benefit to the overall good of Sierra Leone. The other day a Lebanese was charged for murder and remanded to the central prison awaiting trial. Amazingly authorities allowed the culprit to be secretly removed from the prison to a private motel to quietly relax with family pending trial. At the truth and reconciliation a prominent Lebanese figure in the diamond business was mentioned as one of the financiers of the RUF rebellion. Nothing was ever said about it or any hulaboulah made out of it. Could you imagine if it were a prominent Sierra Leonean businessman name mentioned, what would have happen? We know very well the answer, victimization, persecution, and condemnation, you name it will be given to him. We are eager to quickly condemn our own and easily forgive outsiders who continue to rape and destroy our beautiful country? Why? Cronyism, a term habitually associated with the Sierra Leonean politics is clearly pervasive among political and business elites. In his masterly account of 'how Washington works', Smith has catalogued the multifarious exchanges-federal employment, access to key figures and information, free flights on private jets, holidays overseas, tickets for major sporting events, invitations to dinner with 'big shots' and so on-which constitute the core of 'the power game' in the United States been copied by the African elite politicians with westernized orientations. Crime has become one of the most flourishing economic activities, run by professionals who have taken on board all the rules of modern management and technology. Castells describes a global criminal economy as 'the networking of powerful organizations, and their associates, in shared activities throughout the planet . . . (as) a new phenomenon that profoundly affects international and national economies, politics, security, technology, business, the private and public sectors inclusive, development and ultimately, societies at large'. These criminals are active in such things as trafficking in weapons, illegal immigrants, body parts, women and children, cyber crime, 419, and money laundering. Africa where the gap between rich and poor and social disparities are so great that the less privilege women have only their bodies to sell is swooped upon by networks of traffickers doing a most profitable trade in human beings, be they women, children, workers or sources of organs for transplant and hiring child combatants in insurgencies and jobless youths into rebellious actions in political gangsterism. This type of derogatory criminal activity has now become 'a significant and troubling component for African economies, its body politics and the global financial flows. Conclusion Corruption has now moved to the top of government's and African financial institution's agenda. World Bank President James Wolfensohn at an anti-corruption conference in 1999 said that industrialised countries 'do not want to give money for development assistance that ends up in offshore bank accounts'. Anti-corruption drive must be the bedrock for economic reforms, which strengthens governance and public sector management. This brings me to the Sierra Leonean scenario. It is amazing to note that the international community has spent well over $1.5 billion between 1999 and 2003 in the country. What do we have to show for this? The result of our immoral behavior is reducing the patience of the international community especially Britain who is our major contributor. They have now decided under a strategic programme to send judges to assist the country's judiciary in facilitating cases that are awaiting trials for corruption. This is a clear signal of failure on all sides, both the government and the bureaucracy to arrest the malfeasances and decay bringing to justice perpetrators, which in retrospect is stifling and affecting the overall economic progress, developments, and improvements of the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. Where are the professionals, religious leaders, academicians, aristocrats, democrats, civil society and the so-called good guys? Save Sierra Leone's dignity. www.expotimes.net

BIOMETRICS SOLUTIONS
5th January 2004	Technology in Security
List of Those Exempt From U.S. Air Rules
According to an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the following is a list of the countries whose citizens will be exempt from the fingerprint requirement when entering or leaving the United States between now and next October. That will be in addition to already loose entry requirements for citizens of those countries. Can you associate any on the list with the occurrence of terrorist activities within their borders? Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Portugal and Singapore. Published: January 5, 2004 Reuters The United States began finger-printing and photographing foreigners at airports and seaports today in a nationwide program that Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said was intended to keep borders open and the country more secure. The new entry procedures were launched at 115 airports and at cruise ship terminals at 14 seaports, Mr. Ridge told a news conference in Atlanta this morning. The program involves taking digital photographs and prints of the two index fingers of foreigners traveling to the United States on a visa. A test-run of the program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport since November 17 has screened 20,000 travelers, Mr. Ridge said, yielding "21 hits" on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's criminal watch list, including people with prior convictions of statutory rape, drugs and visa fraud. "It is part of a comprehensive program to ensure that our borders remain open to visitors but closed to terrorists," Mr. Ridge said. The Bush administration began an aggressive approach to defending American airspace when the nation was put on orange or "high" alert on Dec. 21. Since then, at least seven international flights have been canceled because of security concerns. But administration officials have said no arrests had been made in connection with any of the more than a dozen international flights subjected to rigorous scrutiny, and they have acknowledged that they are uncertain whether they have succeeded in foiling a terrorist plot. As a result, the Bush administration has faced questions from American allies about the reliability of the intelligence information that has led to the recent rash of flight cancellations. Mr. Ridge said the new national program would "facilitate legitimate travel and trade" while allowing customs and border protection officials to focus on "at-risk" travelers and allowing immigration officials to confirm identities of passengers and ensure that they are adhering to visa policies. He said the finger-scanning and photographing would only add 15 seconds to the entry process. "We are adding an important layer of security," Mr. Ridge said. The program, known as "U.S.-Visit," is the first in a series of steps that American officials will take at borders this year. It is meant to continue in the United States the security and visa measures started at consulates overseas, said Asa Hutchinson, Undersecretary of Border and Transportation Security of the Department of Homeland Security. "When the visitor gets to our border, we use the same biometrics — these digital `fingerscans' — to verify that the person at our port is the same person who received the visa or to see if we have learned new information about any involvement in terrorism or crime," the undersecretary said in a statement. Citizens from 28 countries will be exempt from the new program, mostly European nations whose citizens are allowed to come to the United States for up to 90 days without visas. But Mr. Ridge told CNN that in October this year, everyone will be required to present machine-readable passports and other forms of biometric identifiers — physical characteristics unique to each individual — to verify identity. "For the time being it is a matter of policy," he said. "We are going after those countries where they need visas." The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that it also started a pilot test today of exit procedures for passengers holding visas, using automated kiosks at Baltimore-Washington International Airport and at Miami cruise terminals, in which foreign visitors are required to confirm their departure. Asked about the numbers of flights delayed to the United States because of security concerns, Mr. Ridge said, "I think we will probably see more and more of this in the future as long as the intelligence pushes us in that direction." British Airways canceled a flight to the United States on Friday, grounding a flight from London to Washington. On Sunday, the British transportation minister, Alistair Darling, said travelers will face security-related flight delays and cancellations "for many years to come" and Prime Minister Tony Blair renewed warnings of terror attacks, according to remarks published by The Associated Press. "You know the terrorist threat is real right around the world at the present time," Mr. Blair told reporters while flying home from a visit to Iraq. "Nobody is immune from it; you have to remain vigilant

By Courtesy of CNN.COM NEWS
3rd January 2004	Technology in Security
Tech trends to watch in 2004
By David Kirkpatrick FORTUNE.COM (FORTUNE.COM) --2004: Bring it on! We have momentum in the economy, in the technology industry, and even, for a change, in the stock market. We will continue next year to pluck the fruits of innovation. It's been a confusing time, this past year of war, terrorism fears, and "tech doesn't matter." What a bunch of downers. Yet we tech-focused folk have a lot to keep us cheery. Sometimes it seems like most people just don't realize how much technology is changing all of our lives, mostly for the better. It will continue to do so in 2004, with continuing progress in, for instance, Internet telephony, data on cell phones, and home networking. But here are some less obvious ways: The bottom-up wave continues: The Internet from the beginning was supposed to increase institutional transparency and push power to the edges of the network, as people learned more about how things really work and the facts about anything got harder to hide. It's happening. Prices are dropping on eBay for goods that formerly seemed rare -- because we now can see just how many baseball cards or used Rolexes there are out there. Politics is being turned upside down as Moveon.org and Howard Dean's campaign, among others, show how powerful the informed people on the edge can be when they're connected. Expect to see this trend have a growing impact in education (digital universities), the developing world (improved health care, education, and government responsiveness), business (is it a coincidence all these scandals are emerging just as everybody's getting connected?), entertainment (voting continues for the World Idol), etc. Big Brother comes to town: In the age of super-cheap digital cameras and computers, anything can, and will, be monitored. Expect the debate about privacy to take a newly intense turn, as we all start to realize just how many of our actions are recorded, by video, biometric security systems, sensors in payment systems, spyware online, and more. There needs to be a real debate, too, because the benefits from all these systems are genuine. We may start to detect the impact of technological oversight on lowering crime rates across the U.S. It truly is harder to get away with it anymore. I, for one, am willing to trade off a certain amount of privacy in exchange. Note to John Ashcroft -- don't make me regret I said that. Business keeps technologizing: The data suggesting a steep falloff in business investment in tech over the past few years have been misleading. Our obsession with the performance of technology stocks -- a hangover from the '90s -- is making us watch the wrong signals. The fact is, companies have been steadily improving their tech even though the results for technology companies have seemed stagnant. Marc Andreessen, he of the web browser, explained this recently: "Despite the computer industry recession, companies have been steadily escalating their investment in tech -- and it's really ramping up right now. But to do it people are buying commoditized servers from Dell or H-P that don't carry anywhere near the revenues of the old Unix servers. They're using open source so you don't see the software revenues. And they're developing software in-house using Java, which means you don't see the packaged software revenues." Here is why we see such a surge in productivity in American business -- you can improve the performance of your business without even spending that much anymore. Open source continues to surge: Andreessen mentions it and rightly so. Linux is just the leading edge of a wave that will transform how companies use technology. Whether or not it will come to ordinary folks is unclear, though in some ways it already has. If you're a Mac user you're already seeing how powerful it can be when a software company incorporates open source into its products. Why do you think a little company like Apple can keep coming out with such innovative products as the Safari web browser, iPhoto, iTunes, or the iPod? Because they've gotten out of the scut-work business and are using open source components whenever they can, concentrating their energies on the truly new software ideas. My enthusiasm for the positive benefits of technology can be almost Pollyanna-ish, so just to leaven that, I'll add this: If all the virus attacks and spam don't slow in 2004, we could see a real turning away from the use of the Internet, especially for e-mail, among ordinary people. There are some positive signs we're beginning to address these problems, but we're still playing catch-up with the bad guys. But that already sounds like too much negativity. Have a great year -- the technology industry sure will. And let's pray for peace.

Fingerprint Cards:
3rd January 2004	BIOMETRICS
"Swipe Sensor Method" to be Granted a European Patent
Store Individual's Biometric Identity Without Having to Build Up an Actual Picture of Fingerprint (03.01.04) - The European Patent Office has announced its intention to grant Fingerprint Cards a patent based on the application for its swipe sensor system. This patent makes clear Fingerprint Cards' independent market position as a supplier of innovative fingerprint systems technology featuring a fast and user-friendly swipe approach. This original, capacitive swipe sensor technology is directed at high volume products where the require-ments are for a small footprint, system reliability, verification speed, and customer delivery at low cost. Anticipation of these market requirements led Fingerprint Cards to the strategic development of a system where the user sweeps the finger over a very small sensor surface; one which integrates the key components at low cost, and which need not rely on the reconstructed picture of the fingerprint. Following the Company's application, the European Patent Office has now assessed Fingerprint Cards' innovation as being patentable, and thus intends to grant Fingerprint Cards a European patent, No EP1330185. Based on a positive result in the international examination report from the PCT- authority, the Company has also filed corresponding patent applications in Japan and the USA. The patent describes a system based on a sensor that reads partial images from a moving fingerprint, and where the sensor surface is considerably smaller than the fingerprint area itself. When the fingertip is moved over the sensor surface unique information is read from each partial image of the fingerprint for later verification of the user's identity. When the information extraction from each partial image is completed then the memory unit is cleared before the next one is read and dealt with similarly. This method makes it possible to extract information, and from that to store the individual's biometric identity without having to build up an actual picture of the fingerprint. The procedure to extract information from partial images minimizes the need for processor memory making the system less costly for product implementation. As information is captured on the move the verification process is completed when the finger leaves the sensor surface, making the total verification process extremely fast and user friendly. Peter Svensson, VP Technology Development at Fingerprint Cards, says, "There are probably very few ways to solve the delicate task of developing a well functioning system for a fingerprint verification technology based on a swipe sensor. This patent now enables us to go forward with the commercialisation of our system, based on both a competitive technology and a strong intellectual property rights foundation." Fingerprint Cards AB, quoted on the Stockholm Stock Exchange's O-list (FING B), has developed electronic systems, which through analysis of the unique fingerprint patterns of individuals, determines their personal identity. The system is completely chip-based and reads, stores and compares fingerprint patterns without the help of any PC processor. Two types of capacitive sensors have been developed, an extremely small swipe sensor and a flatbed sensor. Processor ASICs and algorithms have been developed for each type of sensor. By virtue of its smallness, low power consumption and the possibility of very low manufacturing costs, the technology can be integrated in volume products such as smart cards, PDA and mobile phones, where the demands for such characteristics are extremely high. Other applications for the technology include access control systems for buildings and products for logon to computers and IT networks. (ma) Fingerprint Cards AB

Foreigner-tracking system comes to SFO
3rd January 2004	Technology in Security
Biometrics System Applications
By Sean Holstege STAFF WRITER Saturday, January 03, 2004 - San Francisco International Airport on Monday will become one of 115 airports with a new system to electronically verify the identity of foreign tourists and track their whereabouts. Called US-VISIT, the system is a cornerstone of the Homeland Security Department's effort to prevent a repeat of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and is a direct response to the sharpest criticism about why they happened. Almost immediately after the attacks, the nation's immigration officials were peppered with questions about how they let terrorists onto U.S. soil. Immigration officials at ports, airports and borders will now require every foreigner with a visa entering the country to go through a 15-second process similar to the final step in getting a driver's license. Immigration agents will take their digital photo and scan electronic fingerprints into a government computer database. That will be checked against passenger data from airlines or cruise ships and government watchlists. If a visitor matches one of those lists or the name on the visa doesn't match other data, the traveler would face additional questions, bag searches or be denied entry and deported. One lesson from the attacks was that some of the 19 terrorists enrolled in flight schools and others got into the country posing as foreign exchange students. One of those was Hani Hanjour, who was enrolled in English language classes in Oakland. He never showed until he commandeered the jet that crashed into the Pentagon. Starting Monday, student immigration data at airports will sent to schools to let them know their student should be arriving within 30 days. "Everything we're doing in this area is to make the country safer, and we're making strides. Is it 100 percent foolproof? Absolutely not. We would never make that claim," said Customs and Border Protection spokesman Mike Milne. The soft underbelly of US-VISIT, which stands for United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology, is the open border treaties between the United States and its closest allies. Most people entering the country from western Europe, Mexico and Canada do not need a visa. If a terrorist could effectively sneak into one of these countries and then convincingly lie to a U.S. immigration agent that he's a citizen from one of those countries here on a tourist visit, he wouldn't be stopped at SFO. Nor would a terrorist who buys a fake U.S. passport, because U.S. citizens will not be screened by the new technology. But airports such as SFO are the last line of defense in a US-VISIT system that stretches back to foreign airports and U.S. embassies. "The same data will be checked before we even issue them a visa," Milne said. "When they get here, US-VISIT is a double-check, a positive ID." Monday's roll-out is the first phase of an evolving program. By the end of the year, international airports will install kiosks near departure gates, where tourists will automatically submit their inkless fingerprints and scans of their passports. This will let immigration officials know when people leave the country, so that they can track those who overstay their visas. The 9-11 hijackers melted into society after they arrived. People who fail to comply with the future exit system may be denied entry if they return to the United States. Another future phase of US-VISIT may likely involve biometric identification, with which computers would pinpoint the identity of foreigners by analyzing unique retinal patterns or facial geometry. The digital photos are for now just that, says Milne, recognizing that a huge registry of images could be used to build a biometric library. Government tests in March, using the same kind of photos from the Mexican border, showed that the best facial recognition system could only match the correct names and faces 85 percent of the time under ideal conditions. The bigger the pool, the harder the job, according to the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency study. Based on DARPA's findings, the best system could only pick out 63 percent of Californians. "Biometrics is not part of the system yet. If they develop a system that's reliable, this creates the possibility to use it later," Milne said. Already, early tests of US-VISIT at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport yielded promising results, authorities said. The system pinpointed people on watchlists, which led to law enforcement actions, though none included suspected terrorists.

Smelling out wrongdoers will put the law ahead by a nose
31st December 2003	BIOMETRICS
Keeping Africa Abreast in Technology & Security
Jason Burke and Peter Warren The Observer Farewell to black gloves, swag bags and crowbars. Deodorants will soon be the burglar's preferred tool. Government scientists are evaluating new technology that allows people to be identified by body odour, making the tracing of criminals by their unique whiff, whether of fear, greed or excitement, a possibility within years. A leaked memo from the Government's top-secret GCHQ centre lists a series of 'biometric technologies' that have been tested by government specialists for possible use in the UK. The list includes one 'esoteric proposal' to identify individuals by their smell. Biometric technologies, which effectively use the body itself as a password, are increasingly popular. New security concerns over terrorism and illegal international immigration have accelerated the search for more effective ways to pinpoint individuals in a hi-tech world. Recent reports from the Department of Trade and Industry and law enforcement authorities in America have listed 'identity theft' as the fastest-growing type of crime and have highlighted 'biometrics' as a way to stay ahead of the thieves. Yet such technologies also have a whole variety of 'civilian' applications and could soon be a part of our everyday lives. Cars fitted with the right equipment could identify certain drivers by their smell and refuse to start for people they do not recognise. Computers could fail to boot up unless a user's own pong matched that programmed into a sensor. The leaked memo, Security Enforcement Notice 03/04, was compiled two months ago by the Communications Electronics and Security Group at GCHQ, the government spy centre. It describes a series of 'commonly used' technologies, including 'face recognition' as well as the analysis of hand and finger geometry, voices and eyes, as 'under research'. Gait, retina patterns and ear-shape are also being looked at, the memo says. 'Body odour' and 'skull resonance' - by which sound waves are passed through a head to produce a unique sonar profile - are also listed as possibilities. Government sources confirmed this weekend that both had been 'evaluated' as part of an investigation of biometric identity systems. Biometrics are nothing new, with fingerprints being used for over 100 years as a form of identification. One modern technology under development analyses 'keyboard dynamics' - an individual's typing speed and repertoire of mistakes. But smell is seen by security experts as having great potential. Every person produces an odour with a different chemical formula. And we all smell all the time, even if the smell is not detectable by the untrained nose. Our odour is largely produced by the bacteria on our skin and our pheromones, the chemical we produce to signal to others of the same species. The great advantage for law enforcement is that, however hard we scrub or cover ourselves in deodorant, we cannot entirely obscure our own 'sniff signature'. Various identification techniques using body odour have been evaluated by government experts, security sources told The Observer. Most depend on users holding the palm of their hand against a sensor that can recognise their unique and complex scent once it has been broken down into a complex algorithm. Once someone's body odour has been registered, it could be entered on a card, such as a credit or identity card, or on a document such as a passport. 'It may sound completely ridiculous, but it's a fantastic way of identifying people. It's almost impossible to fake or duplicate someone's own personal pong. It's certainly a lot more efficient than everyone trying to remember dozens of PIN numbers,' said one private security expert. 'And no one is going to force you at knife-point to divulge the secrets of your body odour to let them withdraw money from your cashpoint or drive your car off.' Qinetiq, the technology research company that was formerly a government agency, confirmed to The Observer that it has an expert who deals with the degradation of human bacterial cell culture on the skin. Some security experts anticipate the technology will develop sufficiently to allow police to identify an individual in a large crowd purely on their scent. Biometrics are at the heart of a new plan by the Government to introduce a nationwide identity card. David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has said that he wants to introduce a card, possibly based on technology that scans people's irises, as a key part of a £3 billion plan to combat terrorism, immigration and benefit fraud. A pilot scheme, which starts next month, will involve 10,000 volunteers receiving personalised smartcards containing biometric information - initially a digital image of their faces based on a passport photograph. The Passport Agency is struggling to meet tough new requirements in new US anti-terrorist legislation which will require all visitors to the US who do not have a visa to have a biometric in their passport. Three options are being tested for use within years: iris, face and fingerprint recognition.The use of iris patterns or fingerprints on ID cards, says the Home Secretary, 'will make identity theft and multiple identity impossible - not nearly impossible, impossible.' However, the memo advises government departments not to use the technology for their own internal use in checking and identifying their own staff, because of doubts over its efficiency, and government advisers are privately saying that it would be best to wait for at least three years for biometric technology to 'mature' . The rush to introduce unproven biometric technologies has angered some MPs. Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said that the Home Office had 'put the cart before the horse in pretending that it can build a £3bn system on the back of technology which is still in development'. All biometrics, however, remain controversial with civil liberties groups unhappy about 'Big Brother' aspects of mass storage of identifying information. Attempts to build a database of the population's smells would be fiercely opposed, not least by the people whose job it was to go around the nation compiling it. 'It's not exactly the world's most glamorous job,' said one scientist last week. 'You'd spend years of your life working out how we all whiff.'

For Global ID Systems, the Tried and True
31st December 2003	SECURITY TECHNOLOGY
Faces of Terror
By BARNABY J. FEDER he Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks ignited interest in more precise ways to identify people, particularly in the field of biometrics, which makes use of distinctive body features. Among the biometric techniques that have been explored are scanning eyes for individualized features of the retina or iris, using cameras and computers to map the distances between parts of the face, and studying the patterns of voice or gait. But as governments complete initial testing and begin putting into place new security systems at border crossings and at sites like airports and embassies, there is a clear winner among the competing biometric technologies: the old-fashioned fingerprint. "They are looking for proven technology that's stable and familiar," said Dr. Joseph J. Atick, president and chief executive of Identix, a leading supplier of biometric technology. "It's not about technology. It's about lowering your deployment risk." Today's fingerprint systems are not ones that Eliot Ness would recognize. Equipment from Identix and similar companies does away with messy ink in favor of digital records, created by software when fingers are pressed against an electronic pad or a sensitive photoplate. As often as not, fingerprints are being paired with one of the newer biometrics identification techniques. The use of more than one method makes it harder for people to escape detection by disguising their fingerprints, and helps identify the 15 percent or so of people whose hands are so worn or scarred that prints are hard to capture. The most frequent complement to fingerprinting is likely to be facial recognition, where early leaders like Identix and Viisage are now facing competition from start-ups like A4Vision, Geometrix and 3DBiometrics, which employ more detailed, three-dimensional images. The Department of Homeland Security has decided to require fingerprints and facial images on the documents of all foreign nationals who come to the United States from the 27 nations that are exempt from visa requirements. Most of them are in Western Europe. The department's United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program, known as U.S.-Visit, is to begin operating next month and go into effect in American airports during the year. The State Department has begun using the same combination of technologies at more than 200 embassies, and the international standards-setting agency for airlines has adopted it as a voluntary worldwide standard. But work and testing continues on competing biometrics, like iris scanning, where the newest devices use invisible infrared light rather than the laser beams that made some users nervous. A growing number of people will carry their identifying data on microchips in passports, employment ID cards or drivers' licenses in 2004, analysts say. But the data is useless unless the technologies and public records are integrated, a job that has become a fast-growing business for data processing giants like I.B.M., Unisys and Siemens. "The technology is advancing rapidly," said Ed Schaffner, director of positive ID and access control solutions at Unisys, who said that the first government agencies to adopt the technology would put their systems in place in 2004. "The big growth will be in 2005 and 2006," he said.

TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH - PATENTS FILED
19th December 2003	TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
BREAKING NEWS in technology
New Millennium Media International (OTCBB: NMMG) announces that it has officially filed its patents---with over 50 claims---protecting its revolutionary technology, a breakthrough in (LED) architecture. The OnScreen™ LED Display Architecture is a radical new type of Bright LED video display architecture that is expected to revolutionize the 1.5 billion dollar LED display market. This breakthrough technology will give NMMG great potential to capture significant market share in the the 19 billion dollar outdoor advertising market. With all the new initiatives in Homeland Security and the Amber Alert, Intelligent Message Signs (IMS) are the future, and with the recent signing of new laws and federally mandated funds in the billions of dollars, NMMG and its patent-pending OnScreen technology is poised to lead the way. NMMG currently has the only technology that allows it to build onto exisiting infrastructure, i.e. road signs, billboards, etc. Imagine one day you are driving home on the freeway past a road sign you have seen a thousand times before--but this time you notice something different. This time you see a WARNING lit up--truck overturned 1 mile ahead--hazardous chemicals spilled. The sign advises you to exit immediately and to safety. Such a warning was broadcast instantly and using NMMG's OnScreen technology. You never noticed, as you drove by the roadside every day, that OnScreen was draped over the sign all this time. Now it has sprung into action by the punch of a button on a PC from a central station--instantly and just in the nick of time. You have just experienced OnScreen technology. And that is just one example. The possibilities are limitless. And because OnScreen can be applied to existing structures like road signs or billboards, its cost-effectiveness makes it far and away the technology choice. NMMG will unveil its breakthrough technology at the STRATEGIES IN LIGHT conference on February 2-4, 2004 at the San Mateo Marriott Hotel in San Mateo, California. This unique event is considered to be the premier annual forum for addressing commercial developments in high-brightness LEDs, as well as an unparalleled networking opportunity for suppliers and users of these devices. The growing interest in, and expanding attendance at, this event, reflects the excitement associated with a market that has grown by 50% since 2000, while other semiconductor and optical component industries have stagnated or experienced large declines. ON-SCREEN™ TECHNOLOGY OnScreen™ is expected to create a broad-range of products with much better resolution and brighter pictures than the current generation of displays. OnScreen™ will be visible in direct sunlight yet avoid many of the issues associated with current displays including sun-loading, wind-loading and excessive weight. In addition, the new LED architecture produces an advantage that is not available in today's marketplace: a more lightweight, pliable display that can fit any application. These are important advantages as the High Brightness LED market is expected to grow from 1.2 billion dollars in 2000 to 4 billion in 2006. In addition, according to Stanford Resources, the LED sign market value alone is expected to exceed 1 billion by 2006. These projections are made based on existing technology and do not take into account emerging technologies, such as OnScreen™, that can rapidly alter the size and shape of this market. COMMERCIAL MARKET & STRATEGY NMMG's initial marketing strategy revolves around licensing intellectual property (IP) to worldwide manufacturers of LED display products and components. The LED sign market is projected to reach over 1 billion dollars by 2006. Lumiled's projects that high brightness LED's, used in LED signs alone, will exceed 1.2 billion by 2007. If these projections hold, the fully manufactured signs would represent a $5 billion market. Whichever number is accurate, they both point towards a robust market for these new LED displays. Many projections don't take into account emerging high growth applications such as the Amber Alert project, Homeland Security and roadway “intelligent message transfer”. THE MARKET An article in Media Post's Media Daily News in March of 2003 noted that the outdoor industry has successfully weathered the recession and that “our large members say they're having a great first quarter” in 2003. They go on to note that technology is expected to transform both the display and measurement of outdoor advertising. According to Media Daily the most exciting news is coming on the display side, where “Lamar Advertising is converting their key boards to LED units whose messages can be changed at will and sold in day-parts by the hour or even the minute.” They added that “Clear Channel's backlit subway panels in stairwells are being converted to LED as well”. Together these companies represent two of the three largest outdoor US advertisers. Recent Federal Government legislation has also placed a spotlight on expanding the “Amber Alert” network nationwide. The highly publicized success in locating a number of kidnapped children shortly after their abduction in California has now triggered federal funding for U.S.-wide expansion of these variable-message signs. Homeland Security issues have also increased the number of early warning signs being planned and funded as part of an overall information sharing network. Traffic safety is also becoming a much higher priority in the U.S.. It is estimated that just over 60,000 roadway dynamic message signs are in operation in the United States. In Japan alone there are over 1.5 million of these signs. The United States represents a huge growth market for LED displays. GROWTH OPPORTUNITES In addition to the outdoor television market, another interesting and exciting application for OnScreen™ arrays is artistic lighting in dramatic curved and shaped displays in places like Las Vegas, New York City or really virtually any venue. The tensile, flexible structure of OnScreen™ provides unlimited opportunity for creativity. The anticipated cost reductions of OnScreen™ will also provide ample opportunity for growth of the large-scale LED display market itself. OnScreen™'s unique architecture opens the door for new applications such as curved implementations, billboards on the sides of buildings where tenants can still see out, and lower cost mobile applications on the sides of existing vehicles. Homeland Security, Amber Alert variable message signage and instant message transfer applications can also benefit significantly from the advantages of OnScreen™. Reduced wind-loading and weight can significantly lower the cost of the superstructures required to support these signs and also reduce the cost to install and maintain them. JUST LOOK WHO IS ALREADY ON BOARD New Millennium has established a Technology Breakthroughsentific Advisory Board comprised of leading experts in key categories in the research and marketing of LED technology. David Pelka, Ph.D.- Chairman – Well known expert in physics, founded TIR Technologies Inc. to pursue patents for his LED lighting systems and LCD backlits. Dr. Pelka secured more than $2 million in venture capital and licensing for TIR before it was acquired by Teledyne Electronic Technologies (NYSE:TDY). Since the buyout, Dr. Pelka has served as Director of Product Development for Teledyne Lighting and Display Products. Dr. Pelka's accolades include fellowships and awards from the Smithsonian, National Defense, Northrop University and Ebell Fellowship, as well as countless articles published in both classified (the U.S. Air Force and Army) publications and various non-classified publications. He has founded several technology companies, which he successfully expanded by building strong revenue streams and securing venture capital investments and government contracts. Robert V. Steele, Ph.D. – Director of Optoelectronics Programs and Chairman of the annual conference “Strategies in Light” for Strategies Unlimited. Steele is responsible for all of Strategies Unlimited's activities in the area of optoelectronic components, for which the 23-year-old market research firm has specialized in providing market research reports and consulting services. Co-author of “Solid-State Lighting: New Growth Opportunities for High-Brightness LED's”, Dr. Steele writes regularly for industry publications on high-brightness LED markets and applications such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist and more. John Biondo – Owner and President of Silicon Robotics Corporation, which provides various product development services including electronic and electromechanical design, software development, optics, and project management. Biondo also has extensive patent-process experience. In 1980, Biondo launched Electric Filmworks, which produced computer-generated visual effects for the television and motion picture industry. He also designed an apparatus using newly available and inexpensive microcomputers, which allowed the company to compete successful against older, more established firms. To transfer from the service-sector into manufacturing, Biondo sold Electric Filmworks in 1989 and co-founded Amazing Photos. Amazing Photos designed, manufactured and sold a variety of innovative coin-operated photo booths. Polaroid Corporation licensed and marketed the two most popular and cost effective booths under their own name. Richard Reis, Ph.D. – Executive Director of the Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing at Stanford and Director for Academic Partnerships in the Stanford Learning Laboratory. Dr. Reis' impressive career includes serving as; the Executive director of the Stanford Center for integrated Systems, a major research partnership between Stanford and 15 industrial companies; a Consulting Professor in both the Stanford University Electrical and Mechanical Engineering departments; professor of a year-round seminar that is part of the Stanford University Future Professors of Manufacturing program; a professor of astronomy at the College of San Mateo, Calif.; and a curriculum consultant at Menlo College, Calif. Ben Jacobson, Ph.D. – Dr. Jacobson has worked on numerous impressive LED projects that have exponentially increased beam density and brightness and reduced system costs. Additionally, these projects have improved power requirements, heat load and LED count, while improving compactness, efficiency and performance over competitors' products. Dr. Jacobson was instrumental in positioning Illumitech as a new company developing high-performance LED lighting systems with thermal packaging. Dr. Jacobson has over a decade of experience developing and marketing new technology for the display industry, both in his previous positions and currently at Illumitech. Prior to Illumitech, Dr. Jacobson held various executive and research directorial positions at EG Controls Inc., ARCH Venture Partners, NiOptics Corporation and the University of Chicago. He has seven U.S. patents, and has published 13 research articles and seven conference presentations. Joseph D. Tajnai, Ph.D. – Dr. Tajnai is a consultant in Optical Radiation Safety, LED's & Applications and Optics & Optical Measurement Training. He was an engineer, Technology Breakthroughsentist and technical manager for 23 years at Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies. He has focused on fiber optic development, LED development and measurements, new product processes, mathematical modeling and international and US standards and regulations. He also worked with GE Sylvania for nine years and contributed heavily to their YAG laser development. Dr. Tajnai received his BS, MS and Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics. Please note that NMMG had absolutley nothing to do with this report and is not a participant in any way. No more advertisements: www.inet-notification.com/away.html Technology Breakthroughs is an independent research firm. This report is based on Technology Breakthroughs's independent analysis but also relies on information supplied by sources believed to be reliable. This report may not be the opinion of NMMG management. Technology Breakthroughs has also been retained to research and issue reports on NMMG. Technology Breakthroughs may from time to time purchase or sell NMMG common shares in the open market without notice. The information contained in this report shall not constitute, an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to purchase any security. It is intended for information only. Some statements may contain so-called "forward-looking statements". Many factors could cause actual results to differ. Investors should consult with their Investment Advisor concerning NMMG. Copyright 2003 © Technology Breakthroughs. All Rights Reserved. Technology Breakthroughs was paid eight thousand dollars to distribute this report. Technology Breakthroughs is not affiiated with Technology Breakthroughs and is not responsible for newsletter content. All information in this report can be obtained on the world wide web at www.nmmimediacom. New Millenimum Media was not a participant in this newsletter in any way.

INTERNET FRAUD
11th December 2003	Technology in Security
Growth of Internet Fraud is Driving New Technologies to Safeguard Online Payments
NEEDHAM, Mass., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer and business concerns about Internet security are well founded. Amid an explosive upsurge in hard dollar losses and a holiday shopping season plagued with ever-changing scams, fraudsters continue to take advantage of the Internet's anonymous transaction environment -- with everyone from one-time hackers to organized crime testing the market's boundaries. In the face of these threats, momentum is building for a new breed of technologies and services to protect consumers, companies and financial institutions. New research from TowerGroup examines the rapidly evolving range of authentication and fraud detection tools and methodologies being deployed to secure both consumer and business online payment environments. Highlights of the research include: -- TowerGroup estimates that current technology solutions for fraud detection typically identify just 50% to 70% of all fraudulent payment transactions, addressing only a portion of existing Internet fraud. Yet these solutions offer the potential for strong return on investment, due to the magnitude of merchants' total fraud losses in today's Internet environment. -- Originators of Internet fraud benefit from their ability to replicate similar crimes in different environments that have not established methodologies to identify or halt specific scams. Today, many providers of Internet fraud detection services incorporate extensive database assessments and analysis of "velocity data" across multiple merchants. However, TowerGroup believes that the rate of fraud growth across the Internet demands greater cooperation among service providers and merchants, requiring increased data sharing or a consortium approach to control the epidemic of fraud. -- Today, fraudulent merchant sites and "phishing" scams commonly lure consumers or businesses into providing vital identity and account data to unknown and untrustworthy entities. TowerGroup believes that bilateral authentication technologies will become increasingly important in stemming this problem, by enabling a consumer or business to authenticate a Web site before providing identity and account- sensitive information. "While there are a growing range of solutions on the market to help merchants tackle the problem of Internet fraud, there are also significant opportunities to continue to improve the functionality, breadth and scope of these products," said Elizabeth Robertson, a senior analyst in the Global Payments practice at TowerGroup and author of the research. "Internet fraud is dynamic, and solutions must be capable of rapidly evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of the Internet transaction environment." Robertson noted that an increasing number of fraud analyses will also be performed from direct source, real-time linkages -- rather than relying primarily on the database analysis that is a common practice today. "This will be possible using real-time network connectivity, aggregation technology or even biometrics," she said. TowerGroup's "Technology Solutions for Addressing the Risk of Internet Payments" report is available for review by qualified members of the press. Those interested in purchasing a copy of the research may contact TowerGroup at +1.781.292.5200 or service-info@towergroup.com. About TowerGroup: TowerGroup -- now celebrating its 10th year -- is the leading research and consulting firm focused on the global financial services industry. A respected source for trusted information and advice, TowerGroup brings many of the world's largest financial services, technology and professional services firms a deeper understanding of the business and technology issues impacting their organizations. Headquartered near Boston in Needham, Massachusetts, and with offices in New York, London, and Kuala Lumpur, TowerGroup serves a global client base.

ID CARD SYSTEM FOR AFRICA
11th December 2003	Technology in Security
Corrupting National ID Card Process - SAGEM MORPHO President of Nigeria intervens on ID Cards Crisis
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/textonly/screenreader.php?l=features/artikel.php%3FID=37657 Feature Article Corrupting National ID Card Process - SAGEM MORPHO By: Sule, Ahmed, (2003-06-12) More from this columnist One of the problems facing African countries is corruption of government officials of the highest order. What most people do not know though is the extent to which these corrupt practices are ENCOURAGED and INSTIGATED by multi-national corporations doing businesses in these African countries. Among the leaders in this corporate MISBEHAVIOUR is Groupe SAGEM, a French company involved in Communications, and Defence and Security. Groupe SAGEM, unfortunately, is among the companies bidding for Ghana's National Identity Cards contract. Not only is the company corrupt; it is also incompetent. Wherever they have been around the globe, they have left their footprints of incompetence. As a man of both Nigerian and Ghanaian parents, I feel it is my duty, to stand up tell the whole world what I know about this company. I was in Nigeria when Groupe SAGEM bribed the then Nigerian government officials to win an ID card contract. It is alleged the company paid close to $50 million in bribes to corrupt Nigerian government officials to win a $300 million ID contract. I am prompted to write this because I am concerned about the fact that, the company would try very hard to win the Ghana contract through corruption - not because their bid is the best, but through influence, as they did in several countries around the globe. Researching their activities in other countries, I found the following: In Honduras, South America, criminals were able to duplicate identity cards Groupe SAGEM made for Hondurans. In Germany, a system created by Groupe SAGEM to pick fingerprints of criminals could not do so though the fingerprints were in national crime database. In Malaysia, Groupe SAGEM's incompetence showed in technical problems, and mixing up identities, fingerprints and personal data. In South Africa, there were several system rejections. I therefore urge media houses in Ghana to take up this challenge and investigate Groupe SAGEM further and alert our government officials about the possibility of this company bribing their way to win the contract. In this era of ZERO tolerance, the NPP government should watch carefully members tasked to review the bids so that none of them secretly receive bribe from Groupe SAGEM to corrupt the process because BRIBING is Groupe SAGEM's trademark. Text of report by Nigerian newspaper The Guardian web site on 5 December Following his alleged involvement in the National Identity Card scandal, President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday sacked the labour minister, Hussaini Zannuwa Akwanga. He has been ordered to hand over to the ministry's permanent secretary. A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette, said a letter from President Obasanjo dated 4 December 2003 informed Akwanga of his sack. The former minister was among serving and former top government officials named by the Independent Corrupt and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) for having allegedly collected bribes from a foreign firm involved in the identity card project. President Obasanjo's letter to Akwanga, according to Chief Ekaette, reads: "You are aware of the ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) in connection with reported corrupt practices over the National Identity Card project in which your role as former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been called to question. It is disheartening to me that this type of scandal could occur in the life of this administration, in spite of all the efforts we have been making to stamp out corruption in the public service. As a member of the cabinet in the current administration, the report constitutes a serious embarrassment to government and a dent on your image as a minister; "In line with this administration's commitment to transparency and to protect the integrity of the Federal Executive Council, your appointment as a minister of the government of the federation is hereby terminated with immediate effect; "You are to hand over the affairs of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to your permanent secretary." The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission (ICPC) had yesterday confirmed that it was investigating the minister and other former top government officials over the National Identity Card project. Others the ICPC said it is probing include the former Enugu State Governor and National Secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, the current permanent secretary of the ministry, R O Akerele (former Director, Department of National Civil Registration), Christopher Orumgre Agidi and one Niyi Adelagun, a business partner of the company handling the project, SAGEM S.A. Meanwhile, the ICPC Chairman, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, has declared that the commission has concrete and sufficient evidence to nail the ministers and others who were alleged to be involved in the National Identity card project scam. Speaking during the business dialogue with heads of government on improving the business climate and combating corruption at the just-concluded Commonwealth Business Forum in Abuja, Akanbi disclosed that the commission had never before got that kind of evidence against anybody. For the first time, he said, the commission is in possession of ample and thorough evidence against people whose cases were brought before it. He said the commission traced the money involved to a bank account in the United Kingdom, while the Nigerian intermediary used in the lodgement of the money had been arrested and interrogated. The ICPC, few days ago, announced that it had commenced full investigations into allegations of corruption levelled against some top past and present government officials in connection with the National Identity Card scheme. The officials who are alleged to have collected colossal sums of money in local and foreign currencies include the following: Chief Sunday Afolabi, former minister of internal affairs; Dr Mahmud Shata, former minister of state and later minister of internal affairs; Alhaji Hussaini Zannuwa Akwanga, former permanent secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs and currently minister of labour and productivity; and Ms R O Akerele, present permanent secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs. The contract for the National Identity Card scheme was awarded by the Federal Government to SAGEM S.A. of France after due process for the sum of 214m dollars. It was, however, discovered that SAGEM agents in Nigeria, including the regional area manager, identification systems, Mr Jean Pierre Delarue, a French national and Mr Niyi Adelagun organized and executed a scheme through which money was distributed to these top government officials. Mr Niyi Adelagun was fingered as the main distributor of the money. Mr Christopher Agidi, former director DNCR and a key player in the bribery scam was arrested in the UK. The commission said efforts are being made to repatriate him to Nigeria to assist the commission in its investigations.

PRIVATE SECURITY PARTICIPATION
11th December 2003	Technology in Security
Private security companies will play key role in fight against terrorism
The private security industry has a key role to play in helping the police to combat both crime and terrorism, and enhancing community safety at a time of increased security threats caused by the activities of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. This was one of the key messages delivered by Sir John Stevens at a seminar on the ‘Regulation of the Private Security Industry’, organised by Reliance Security Services on 26th November 2003. Pointing to the increasing threat presented to UK public safety by terrorism, Sir John described collaboration between the 132,000-strong police force across England and Wales and the private security industry, which employs 500,000 people, as his vision for the future. “By working with the private security industry we can achieve a new ‘balanced normality’ but this requires public leadership, private support and public/private sector co-operation,” he said. “If you are in a position where you can train people in four to five weeks to deliver a service, then why not lock into manned security services? “We have so much further to go in working with private security companies to help us do a better job. Our plea is only to push regulation of the private security industry hard in order to ensure that the industry can provide the quality, consistency and effectiveness required to achieve this.” Here, he pointed to the successful use of Police Community Support Officers over the last fifteen months as an additional visible and accessible deterrent to crime on the streets of London, as a role model which members of the private security industry can follow. He also pointed out that by leading the way in the development and application of the latest security technologies, such as millimetre wave technology to tackle gun crime and terrorism, for example, the private security industry has a doubly important supportive role to play in the fight against crime and terrorism. Sir John went on to describe the Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation, and other groups with which it has an affiliation, as presenting the most significant threat to UK security at present, pointing to the terrorist network’s recent attack against UK interests – the UK Consulate in Istanbul Turkey – as exemplification of this. “After the events of September 11, the world has changed. We are up against people that are prepared to risk their lives in a way that has never happened before. The private security industry, in terms of where it is now, can deliver a service and help.” The seminar also heard Molly Meacher, Chairman of the Security Industry Authority, back arguments for the important role that a regulated private security industry can play in safeguarding the community. “The UK’s private security industry is large and very important to this country. It has a turnover of £3 billion and employs 500,000 people,” she said. And she added: “I know many police chief constables who are just waiting for regulation to happen so that they can build on the standards attained and get security personnel more closely involved in policing the community. My vision for the future is of a security industry that post-regulation transforms its business performance; is innovative and dynamic; follows best practise; and maximises the deployment of additional skills and new technology.” Ms Meacher acknowledged that exclusion of the in-house security sector could potentially create a two-tier system for the security industry and that the SIA are considering the implications of this. She also confirmed that the SIA are on track for the implementation of licensing of the manned security sector in early 2005 and that security companies could do much to prepare themselves through thorough training and communication with employees on the likely requirements for the future. She once again confirmed that the cost of a license has been set at £190. The seminar also heard David Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), discuss the benefits to be reaped by the private security industry in a regulated environment. "Leading security companies like Reliance have sought for more than twenty years to regulate the industry,” he said. He went on to discuss the downward spiral in prices brought about by competition based purely on price at the cost of quality of service. "Regulation is bound to improve the situation for employees and customers alike, creating an industry which is professional, innovative and which can fund future development. The BSIA is working closely with the SIA to establish proper criteria for higher standards of security provision.” Summarising the event, Ken Allison, Chairman of Reliance Security Services, added: " We have heard today from the most significant decision makers in their respective fields. This is a measure of the importance which the Security Industry Act will have upon what has been an undervalued profession." The recent seminar on regulation of the security industry is one of a series of seminars being held throughout the country by Reliance Security to stimulate awareness and understanding of the implications of the Private Security Industry Act (2001). In October, Chief Constable Norman Bettison of Merseyside Police voiced his strong support for an ‘extended police family’ that includes the private security industry, a message echoed by former HM Inspector of Constabulary (1990-997) Sir Geoffrey Dear QPM DL at a Reliance seminar in Farnborough.

HACKERS, VIRUSES, NETWORK SECURITY
11th December 2003	Technology in Security
Businesses Being Forced to Block 500 Attacks a Month
The number of intrusion attacks on British networks are soaring, with even the smallest of enterprises facing on average 500 application attacks each month from viruses, worms and denial of service attempts. This is the key finding of a UK study commissioned by Radware. The research, which examined blocked attacks over the networks of 50 small UK enterprises during a six month period, was undertaken for Radware by FITE IT amongst its UK customer base. Seventy per cent of the businesses studied, with 20 employees or less, experienced more than 1,500 attacks over a two week period in August, accountable largely to the outbreak of the Sobig virus. "Businesses that fail to manage the soaring number of virus attacks clogging their networks risk paralysis," said Anthony Crowley, regional director for northern Europe, Radware. "It does not bode well for larger companies that even small enterprises are being attacked with such venom. The reality is that attacks will always happen, so businesses need to minimise their impact. Adopting real-time security protection at multi-gigabit speeds ensures protection without a degradation in network performance." Although the study demonstrated that the need for security against the 'first strike' ramifications of attacks is paramount, the capture of viruses by corporate firewalls only protects businesses at the network access point and not at an application level, Radware maintains. As web-based distributed applications become more pervasive, the majority of security threats facing corporations will be at the application level across port 80, the study concludes. According to Gartner, new worms and cyber attacks are tunneling through corporate firewalls by connecting over port 80 and, in some cases, encapsulating in HTTP or S-HTTP formats. The number of software vulnerabilities has doubled each year since 1999, further exacerbating the problem. Nick Lawrence, managing director of FITE IT, said: "UK companies need to understand that this new breed of security threat must be tackled without impacting business operations. Security solutions need to scan, identify and block attacks at accelerated throughputs, and bar attacks from slipping through port 80."

419 SCAMS
11th December 2003	Technology in Security
Nigeria gets tough on email fraud scammers
The Nigerian President has announced that the country is to launch an inquiry into email fraudsters who attempt to swindle money over the internet. For some years, Nigeria has been well-known for being the origin of many scams, which attempt to empty the bank accounts of the unwary. As a result, Nigeria's name has been tarnished by the association. In the scams, innocent users are typically contacted by someone based in Nigeria, who promises a share of non-existent riches. When the innocent victim forwards his confidential bank account details to the contact in Nigeria, the money sitting in the account is stolen. President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria told the BBC that the new inquiry into the internet fraud (known as a "419") will examine the existing laws addressing the problem, and consider whether a new agency needs to be put in place to investigate such crimes. "The government will step up measures against these criminal activities," he said. More than 200 people, including a federal lawmaker, have been arrested by Nigeria's anti-fraud squad since May for suspected involvement in computer fraud. Amongst those facing prosecution are the alleged masterminds of the biggest ever 419 swindle, a $180 million fraud that brought down a bank in Brazil. Initially unsolicited emails promising fantasy fortunes came from Nigeria, but other scams have claimed to originate from Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. In one of the most bizarre cases, the fraudster claimed to have obtained access to a secret $30 million fortune of the massacred Nepalese Royal Family. "These scams are orchestrated by people who spam them en masse to millions of computer users around the world, hoping someone will fall for the trick and hand over their secret bank details," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "This is much worse than regular spam - this is a direct attempt to rob you of your savings and leave your bank account empty." He also recommended that recipients of scam messages do not reply. In October, a suspected perpetrator of a similar scam appeared in an Australian court.

WI FI HOTSPOT - THE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION FOR AFRICA
11th December 2003	Technology in Security
Remote Hot Spot – the market for SSL VPNs catches fire
Welcome to the world of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Virtual Private Networks (VPNS), the hottest of hotspots in town, fuelled by the surge towards more remote working for employees – from home, behind a firewall on another company's network, at a hotel using a broadband connection, on wireless LANs, or at a public kiosk. The SSL VPN market has just exploded, with over £230m already invested in the sector. Infonetics Research, for example, predicts that SSL VPNs will become a £350m ($607m) market opportunity by 2006 – for a combined annual growth rate of 105 percent. The mix of having the right technology – SSL VPNS – at the right time – now – to suit a business need – remote access – has proved a perfect one. Add in legislation guaranteeing workers more “place-of-work” flexibility, and the availability of broadband connections, and the mix has become a heady cocktail that the market wants and needs. Remote-working is sweeping the working world, a by-product of the need for workers en route between appointments to catch up on email via a Wi-Fi connection in the nearest Café Latte. Or spend quality time with their families, avoiding the pointless daily commute usually spent in a traffic jam, or stuck on a stationary train. Or access their mail and documents easily and securely when working abroad. It is a move that satisfies everyone: the employer, the employee, and even the environment. After all, taking a few million people off creaking, overburdened transport systems is surely no bad thing either. And the numbers backing up remote working are spectacular: · By 2010, nearly 27 million Europeans will become new remote workers, or “e-Workers”, according to the EU’s Emergence Project · The UK will have the largest number. By 2005, in the UK, homeworkers will top 8 million. In 2001, there were 2.2m. · Worker productivity can increase by up to 40% through remote-working · A person working 1 or 2 days a week at home can save a company £3500- £7,000 a year through lower turnover, reduced office space, and improved productivity · Savings on lunches, wear and tear on a car, and clothing can amount to £600 a year savings for employees, as well as reduced stress and an increased sense of freedom. · And in these days when more flexible working and improved technology means higher expectations, your more flexible staff, working remotely, mean companies can now offer 24 x 7 customer services. Your enquiry can just as easily be replied to by someone working from home. It is all as a result of change: · Change in the tools available for work, primarily VPN technology · Change in lifestyle, because people only work to live, not live to work · Change in attitudes - by employers, employees, and governments It is SSL VPN technology that has ended all of the frustrations of working at home, such as the inability to gain access to all your files and applications. And the great thing about SSL VPNs is that they are secure, easy to use, and you don't have to download applications in order to use them. Companies benefit by having a secure “data tunnel” through which their encrypted communications are sent. They offer a window on the files and applications you would use in the office. You can use your Web browser to open the files you would normally be able to access, amend and print documents, check your email and diary, and update databases. From a company’s viewpoint, the SSL technology also enables it to ensure that no one gets to files or programs they shouldn’t. In fact, the technology is so versatile that companies can even use it as a secure gateway to authenticate all of their employees – including office workers – before they gain access to applications and data. SSL VPNS offer: · Fast access · They are easy to use · Accessible from anywhere · Simple and quick to deploy · Highly secure, offering 128-bit encrypted access to remote workers · Costs up to 40% lower than previously available VPN remote access technology · Simple support issues can take just 5 minutes to cure, not two hours to endure. · Ability to safeguard access to the business network for all employees, not just remote workers In addition, there are another 10 good reasons why SSL VPNs will soon become a firm and established part of our everyday working lives: 1. The technology is available now, it works, and is easy to deploy 2. Businesses need secure remote access 3. Analysts have recognised SSL VPNs’ market value 4. Key vendors are jockeying to guarantee their future 5. It can help secure an organization’s entire enterprise, not just mobile users 6. Services such as coffee shops see themselves supporting mobile customers 6. Employers know time spent commuting is wasted time 7. Employees want work to suit their own commitments 8. Remote working has Government support through legislation 9. Widespread, cheaper Broadband access is now available 10. The need for corporate data security never goes away Mobile-enabled workers are the future, and SSL VPN networks offer them a secure, straight, simple access route to their data. With a majority of companies still looking to gain a key, competitive edge by empowering their workers, but with security still a management worry, you can expect the SSL VPN market to continue to bubble: for remote users, SSL VPN vendors, and investors alike. Article contributed exclusively to security Park by Jan Vekemans – Managing Director of Netilla Networks Europe Ltd

BIOMETRICS SOLUTIONS
17th November 2003	SECURITY
U.S. foreign travelers to be fingerprinted[Scanned]
Some 25 foreign nations are planning to require visiting Americans to be fingerprinted, according to a prominent biometrics expert and president of the company that produces the computerized desktop booking stations used by many law enforcement authorities. The plans to screen American travelers represent a form of retaliation against new U.S. Department of Homeland Security requirements for foreign travelers entering the country, said Joseph J. Atick, president and chief executive officer of Identix, Inc., a biometrics company that won a five-year blanket purchase agreement for its TouchPrint 3000 line fingerprint biometric live scan booking stations and desktop systems, which will be provided to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Atick made the statement at a recent Biometrics Consortium Conference in Virginia. The CIS anticipates expanding the Application Support Centers Program in 2004 to worldwide operations on up to five continents. The overseas ASC Program will allow biometrics capture for background checks prior to an applicant entering the United States. WND asked Identix spokesperson Meir Kahtan for a transcript of the address, which reportedly referenced the "25 countries." Kahtan responded that there was no transcript or audio record available. Dr. Atick's powerpoint presentation foresees entry/exit systems throughout the world as an significant opportunity for identification management development. Kahtan did not respond to other WND inquiries about Atick's comments, including the time frame for implementation of the program and whether Identix was to be the lead provider of equipment for foreign efforts to fingerprint American travelers. WND asked Nuala O'Connor Kelly, chief privacy officer for Homeland Security, to verify the report. Kelly deferred comment to the DHS press office, adding, "The questions you're asking call for conjecture about activities that are beyond the scope of DHS's purview, but that are rather the activities of other countries, and so beyond the scope of my ability to answer." Nuala O'Connor Kelly was a moderator at the Biometrics 2003 convention. On October 29, Homeland Security director Tom Ridge told a Berlin news conference that an agreement between America and Europe on ways to combine fingerprints and facial recognition in travel documents could lead to a global standard. When asked whether DHS was aware of the plan, spokesman Dennis Murphy told WND, "I'm not personally aware of that," but added, "I'm not surprised. There's an ICAO standard for machine-readable passports that need to be linked to biometrics by October 2004. Optical finger scans will be linked to a database." When asked whether data collected abroad, including Americans' travel itineraries and fingerprints, would be shared with U.S. agencies, Murphy deferred to the U.S. State Department, saying, "All that would have to go through State Department protocol and agreements as to which information comes back - if so." Atick's PowerPoint slides from Biometrics 2003 reference "Building and linking databases to uncover identities that could pose a threat," and include a graphic of a smart-card information being routed through FBI and Interpol databases. State Department spokesperson Joann Moore would not comment on whether her department or other federal agencies would be able to obtain the data from foreign countries. About the plan to fingerprint American travelers abroad, Moore said, "Each country has its own regulations on how it processes travelers. That would be up to the countries," adding, "Maybe we'll know more when it happens." When pressed for more details, Moore said the Bureau of Consular Affairs could give out no more information at this time, "about countries that are considering doing this." Lee Tien, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, isn't surprised Americans will be fingerprinted - a procedure traditionally reserved for criminals - and warns that employing biometric systems without sufficient attention to their dangers makes them likely to be used in a way that threatens civil liberties. "When it comes to terrorism versus ordinary crime we have extremely sparse information on terrorism," Tien said, "There isn't anything even remotely resembling a solid biometric list of known or suspected terrorists." Tien argues that such a system can facilitate the positive identification of someone who is not a terrorist, but adds, "It's no help with threat identification, where we have all the problems." That conclusion was also reached by the General Accounting Office. Homeland Security's Murphy contends that biometrics "back up the integrity" of travel documents and prevent alteration of machine-readable passports. But the EFF argues that a terrorist with a fake passport would be issued a U.S. visa with his own biometric attached to the name on the phony passport. "Unless the terrorist has already entered his biometrics into the database, and has garnered enough suspicion at the border to merit a full database search, biometrics won't stop him at the border," said Tien. Tien's organization contends that biometrics do not represent a substitute for quality data about potential risks. No matter how accurately a person is identified, EFF argues, identification alone reveals nothing about whether a person is a terrorist. Such information is completely external to any biometric ID system. The lack of a well-considered threat model has been a focus of the Electronic Frontier Foundation's opposition to certain uses of biometrics. Before deploying any such system on the national stage, EFF emphasizes that a realistic threat model must be obtained, specifying the categories of people such systems are supposed to target, and the threat they pose in light of their abilities, resources, motivations and goals. "What if the terrorists don't come in through the checkpoints?" asks Tien. "How hard is it for a dedicated terrorist to get on shore if they want to?" He adds, that the notoriously porous Mexican border and the exemption of Canada from the program "makes a mockery of the notion that this is for security." Although the excuse for exempting Canada was one of practicality vs. commerce concerns arising from feared traffic snarls, Tien chastised the government for failing to conduct adequate cost-benefit analyses. Even Homeland Security's Murphy calls the press reports of potential traffic snarls and disrupted commerce along the Canadian border "folklore." "It only adds about 4 seconds to processing time, since the document would be swiped as the border guard is asking questions they routinely ask anyway," explained Murphy. Ironically, Rep. John M. McHugh, R-NY, recently met with Delegate General Michel Robitaille of Quebec to discuss rising concerns about traffic snarls arising from the Canadian government's apparent understaffing of New York border crossings, such as crossings at Champlain-Lacolle and Landsdowne. At Champlain-Lacolle, a recent backlog of cars at the Canadian checkpoint can apparently be attributed to the availability of only one open inspection lane and the low number of Canadian inspection agents stationed at the border. The Canadian government is said to be planning significant upgrades at its border crossings, specifically in Lacolle In addition to being ineffective and the Canadian-Mexican border leaks, Tien warns of the privacy threats of such a system. "It becomes very easy to track innocent people," he said. "The government's fragmented attempts to address physical security issues are resulting in `solutions' that will be heavily sucking in data about people." Political pressure for increasing use of biometrics appears to be informed and driven more by marketing from the biometrics industry than by scientists, EFF asserts. David Ray, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, supports the program and the fingerprinting of Americans overseas. "Visiting a country is a privilege, not a right," Ray said, contending that such checks are a reasonable "cost" of international travel. Ray is also highly critical of the Canadian exemption though, calling it "very risky." "Canada is known as a place where it's easy to make asylum claims, and where persons with terrorist affiliations reside," he said. Asian smuggling rings operating in the Vancouver area, and the possibility of obtaining fake Canadian drivers' licenses were also cited as concerns. "We've got 9 to 11 million illegal immigrants in the country that we know nothing about," Ray said, "There's been no criminal background check of them, no running of their identities against a terrorist database. US officials are not very interested in detecting and deporting these people." "Iraq has more secure borders," said Ray, "That $87 billion should've gone to securing our borders before we spent a dime in Iraq." "We don't seem to be able to lock our own back door. We'll just be tracking people who want to play by the rules." At the Biometrics 2003 conference, Atick noted that the "privacy pendulum" has shifted "over the last two years," and, that after Sept. 11, 80 percent of people polled supported biometrics and ID cards. He also noted the majority of privacy complaints were with the USA Patriot Act and its alteration of wire-tapping, subpoena and disclosure law. Looking forward, Atick noted that building certain testing databases "may require changes in law," and he predicts that identity management with biometrics will keep the industry and government busy for the next decade. Illustrating the close relationship between the biometrics industry and the U.S. government, Atick pointed out, "Without NSA, DARPA, DOJ, NIST, etc. the biometric industry today would be a decade or two behind." So what does the biometrics industry expect from its relationship to government in the future? According to Atick: "Unwavering commitment to programs despite election-year politics."

Communication-Information-Technology for Africa into the Millennium
5th December 1999	IT2000
E-Commerce and Trading on the Internet is taking over Banking-Businesses-The StockExchange-Buying&Selling and all other aspect of business. How do we fit in, or handle this development.
I must make this clear very strongly, no country, government or institution can succeed in moving forward, developing its inhabitants and progressing into the new millennuium without the power of Communication. As I always say, Communication is Information, and Information is Education, period. Join me at our Forum for discussion on this topic reference: E-Commerce and Trading on the Internet. How can Africa be part of this technology......

Managing Communication Information Technology
12th May 2003	Technology in Security
Infrastructure and Security By Syl Juxon Smith
After the incident of September 11, what lesson has Africa learnt? If a super power like the USA can be so vulnerable to acts of terrorism, then who are we not to give this development of growing concern a food for thought in Africa. Sometime ago Kenya and Tanzania were attacked simultaneously, in which many innocent people lost their lives. It was easy to forget. Recently a hotel was bombed and an aircraft was fired upon with sophisticated ground to air missiles. The threat is getting serious and becoming much more organized. Countries with weaker security infrastructures, poor ethics and lack of positive discipline or initiatives are very much susceptible to these gloomy predicaments that is now slowly shifting to under developing countries. Why? Targets or countries of interest to fundamentalist organizations and networks are no longer easily accessible for penetrations or attacks because of the lessons learnt from previous lapses, which has been analyzed and corrected putting the right mechanism in place. Africa as I always profess is never serious with security. It is only when it is in an emergency situation it tends to know it all or give the scenario the utmost attention. We do not even maintain a contingency plan, but always have a crisis management plan. To be very candid, I find it very amazing how we handle situations in time of storm, which we could have prevented in the first place. Back to business, our airports, seaports and borders are of great concern to our well being, economic stability, development, survival and paramount to national security. It is the gateway and entrance to a country. If you look at the statistics of terrorism, rebel incursions, insurgencies and other acts of violence, its always emanate or originate from our gateways or borders, through poor infrastructure and lack of proper skilled manpower.. Security is Priority and a Necessity State Security, Industrial Security & Private Security The primary mission within our Integrated Security System approach is to assess and analyse the risks and threats that relate to the entire security and operational structure of businesses, industries, governmental institutions, security agencies, domestics and residential, resolve these with the correct technical solutions in a case by case scenario that reflects present realities. There must be included the introduction of secondary measures and structures relating to “Off-Site” and Landside feeder services, suppliers and contractors in organisations, businesses and institutions. There is to be included the evaluation of personnel skills and potential with the subsequent introduction of training programmes directly related to the needs of each department and the individuals within each department – ANY SYSTEM IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE WHO OPERATE IT! Our solution is to integrate all those systems and parts as established and identified by our local and international Project Management & Coordination Committee/Group, into a single cohesive, fully interactive and integrated system. The systems will range from Fire Alarms to CCTV Cameras & Monitoring Stations, Wireless cameras and other applications including MICROWAVE TRANSMISSION, from CUTE to Biometric Controls and from Weather Information to A.F.T.N. & Public Address (including Autovac), PABX systems with special customise features, PIR detectors, INTRUDER Alarms, ETHERNET, Two Way Radio Trunking System (MPT1327) from 2 channel to 120 channels with encryption and PSTN options in simplex and full duplex mode. There shall also be included the necessity to investigate, design and instigate a cohesive operational strategy – where it does not already exist – encompassing all those relevant bodies and agencies who have a need to be aware of specific data and conditions arising at any time upon and within. OBJECTIVES 1] Maximise deterrence against All Criminal Activity (The right equipment). 2] Maximise information for dissemination to all departments and individuals - on a strictly need to know basis. (Mutual understanding). 3] Maximise Proof of Evidence for prosecution. (Capture of criminals). 4] Maximise safety and welfare of all personnel and staff. (Employee well being). 5] Maximise safety and efficiency in respect of movements of vehicles, cargos and associated operatives. (Tracking of Traffic). 6] Maximise comfort, well being and information systems for the benefit of customers, passengers & VIP’s. (The “feel good factor” – they must like what they see and feel in the shop window). 7] Maximise lines of communication and opportunities for access to and by other agencies & government departments. (Interface expansion). 8] Maximise efficiency of management and supervisory structures for incident response, monitoring procedures and operational control (More effective time management that will lead to greater individual and group motivation & identity). 9] Maximise knowledge, awareness and potential of all staff and employees. ( Knowledge = Confidence + Individual Responsibility will lead to a more easily managed workforce more ready and able to identify with their work place =Greater Loyalty which in turn will lead to a more efficient and self motivated workforce). 10] Minimise wrong attitudes. (The integration of the electronics systems in association with added awareness and training would hopefully result in a common bond of loyalty between all staff.). Modern Technology The Risk Factor The general risks, whilst apparent to all, need to be identified in every case. The detailed assessment of any of these risks in relation to any area(s) or group(s) and their bearing on operational and monitoring strategies for maximum efficiency. To be adopted will form the first phase of the consultancy and design programme that will meet the necessary requirements of our clients. We are very proud to put together a team of well experienced international experts and consultants in the various categories of communications, information, technology and security with so much experience in the African region that can easily relates to every case and come up with an home grown solution. We are also dealing directly with manufacturers in our different brand of equipments and services with the fullest warranty and support. CONCLUSION TransAfrica2000(Ghana)Ltd and Three Lions Security(UK)Ltd strategic partnership and concept is now the total solution for all INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS AND SECURITY for AFRICA. Projects and Specifications for priority cases is handle by THREE LIONS CONSULTANCY(GH)LTD. General needs, Sales and marketing is by TransAfrica2000(Ghana)Ltd

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN SECURITY (ITC)
27th February 2003	Technology in Security
A Presentation to West Africa Business Association Luncheon in Ghana By Syl Juxon Smith
Introduction When the invitation was first received to present a paper on Security at this Luncheon today, I was absolutely delighted and honored. I contacted my strategic partners, Three Lions Security International Ltd in London for opinions and some guidance since we are involved in developing an integrated concept strategy for a Home Grown Solution for Africa in this regard. Information Technology and Security is such a wide subject area that in preparing this document, I had to ask myself the following questions - how long have I got to speak – what is the motivation - who are the audience – what is the objective of WABA in issuing this invitation? The questions came thick and fast. But then isn’t that what technology and security is all about – asking questions and getting to the hub, the root core of each particular situation. Naturally, as human beings, in our curiosity we always want to know the ins and outs of the proverbial dark places. I could stand here for the next five days and bore you rigid with all the technical niceties, variations and principles of modern technology and security – that is not the objective of today’s exercise. Today’s exercise is about the impact of technology and crime on our lives and businesses in particular. Preamble Countries are fighting crime and terrorism: an enemy with no known boundaries. George Bush wants to fight Iraq and the so-called axis of evil. What are we doing to instigate and to defend our lives, properties, assets and businesses as concerns for security grow? Ghana has openly stated its intent to develop itself as the mark by which all others must judge themselves. The challenges that it faces cannot be underestimated. The resourcefulness of its people will be severely tested. The fear factor is ever present: it is insidious. It undermines confidence, impinges on self-esteem and promotes inefficiency. It erodes the need for acceptance of personal responsibility and also costs money. It is the single most debilitating factor of the human soul. As I speak at this very moment the global economy and trend is driven by fear of uncertainty: whether there will be war or not in the Persian Gulf and other scenarios prognosticated by many analysts that will always evolve in one perspective or the other as we progress and develop. The elimination of the fear factor is the lock which the key imperative operates. Information Technology and Security could be one of the essential keys. This cannot be fully achieved without the participation of government in laying down a solid foundation ensuring that a properly mandated, managed, suitably qualified and trained, independent organisation is established to coordinate and resolve all the relevant pro-active and counter measures necessary to meet the contingencies in modern technology and security. What is Information Technology? Information is like the ocean; so vast while Technology is the vessel to take you across. The success in this journey will depend on the choice of your vessel. “unfa shen ketua enchwa epokesia”. (You cannot take a canoe to cross an ocean). Security? How do we define Security? Why do we need Security? Each and every one of us here may vary in definition because our priorities are different. Today’s Security is not merely the physical presence of a watchman, a policeman, a security guard, high fences, steel windows, big doors and many dogs. “Peace and Security are in jeopardy”, to borrow a quote from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s statement at the recent Franco-African summit held in Paris. Security is highly technological in concept. They cannot be separated as they are inherently inter-related and inter-dependent in today’s market place. Security is about the acquisition and dissemination of information and knowledge and then about relaying any given aspect of a situation to those who need to know. Those who need to know, given the current globalization of management command and control centers, could be literally anywhere. Someone in Accra needs to see and be aware of what is happening in his office, business or residence in Kumasi, Takoradi, Lagos, London or New York and given current new age technology all are perfectly feasible. Telecommunications Systems now make Security Systems the stuff of dreams that many of us had 10 -15 years ago. We knew it was technically feasible but have had to wait until now for the technologies to be thoroughly proven and cost effective. These technologies however are entirely dependent on a satisfactory infrastructure – which of course the majority of countries in Africa still do not have. At this stage all what we can do is to enhance the usage of existing infrastructures. In TransAfrica2000 we do our very best to enlighten and inform our own client base, governments and institutions as to what can be achieved with what is currently available. Crime today is an industry. It is a sub-culture that supports its own black market enterprises. It does inestimable damage. Crime is now not just about stealing properties, it has reached into the core of modern technology: Credit card fraud – attacks against the very infrastructure of modern commerce & industry, hacking into highly sensitive data records to add, modify or delete records. Industrial espionage is rife. We have heard of instances where crime rings will seek to place one of their members in a bank on a temporary basis knowing that the traditional background checks will take some time, giving them a short period in which to conduct fraud. As each nation tackles its own particular problems and becomes more successful and more prosperous so will the divide between the haves and have-nots who will use every given opportunity to take advantage of the vulnerability of the state. So, what is to be done? It is to ensure that one is ahead of the game. The modern criminal is highly organized, intelligent, fearless and very conversant with all the latest technologies – especially the counter measures deployed by the security industry. It is an ongoing battle. Defense, deterrence, awareness and anticipation are the key basics. What do you as intelligent, thinking people do to counter this threat? Obviously you take sound, sensible and technically advanced measures. The Police and Customs must ensure they have adequate and updated technology, opt for computerized systems that are linked to all the main transit points, Ports and Airports, Border Control points and Border Patrols which are so vital to the security, welfare and status of a nation. A national database is therefore essential. Proper classification of persons, all motor vehicles, transportation and taxis on a cross-reference must be part of any integral strategy paramount to overall security. These can in fact be self-financing and be a very useful source of revenue. There is an overwhelming need to identify individuals and authorized ownership of every type of vehicle and movement within any given circumstance. This new technology is called License Plate Recognition. It forms part of the CCTV monitoring infrastructure being initiated by the City of London to control congestion and identify vehicles within a specified zone for the necessary charges and payments. License Plate Recognition is used in a variety of commercial and private applications. Typical applications include access control, revenue control, security control, theft control, toll roads, border control, airports and traffic enforcement. A Personal Identity Card System is a must – a basic essential imperative. Detailed Data Base systems at all transit points to both aid and assist the speedy and efficient passage of the honest and genuine and to highlight the dishonest, the suspicious and the known criminal. These systems will enable the state to exchange information with other countries and police authorities to track down and detain criminals and terrorists across international boundaries. Data as we all know, even television pictures can be transmitted from one side of the globe to another in a mere instant. The technology exists. The expertise exists. All what is now needed is the will and the determination of Ghana, ECOWAS and its people, visitors, expatriates, investors and businesses to be decisive in ensuring that they do not become victims – yet another statistic of the criminals’ and terrorists’ success stories. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001, protection of nations and all other critical infrastructure and assets has become a primary focus for every one of us, governments and non-governmental organizations alike. Wireless networks have been identified as a key element in the nation's communications assets. As a result, information, technology and security issues have moved to the forefront. The threat is getting serious, spreading and becoming much more organized. Businesses with weaker communication and those lacking the proper security infrastructure are very much susceptible to these gloomy predicaments that are now rapidly shifting to Africa. Criminals, to further their nefarious desires are using mobile phones, computers, walkie-talkies, satellite phones, the internet, fax machines etc and are much more sophisticated today. Developments and advancement in technology and science is becoming our greatest threat and enemy. Our main concern today is to focus on ourselves while trying to improve on our existing technology and security - vital ingredients for development and progress. Businesses cannot make profit or attract positive and long-term investment proposals if the security environment in which they operate is not conducive. In fact the risk factor is the main criteria in assessing a business or country’s qualification for any loan, investments or financing. Crime has become one of the most flourishing economic activities run by professionals who have appropriated all the rules of modern management and technology. Networks of criminal syndicates using the latest technology to further their nefarious desires swoop upon a country with outdated or obsolete infrastructure. They disrupt the ‘official’ one aided by technology and their activities are now becoming a significant and troubling factor globally. THE EVALUATION In principle there is very little difference between the needs of the public and private institutions and the needs of commerce in general in respect of the application of security measures: in any given specific subject to the situation, the operation or activity, the nature of the organization’s resource & remit, the type of people employed and their relative intelligence plus ease of access to name but a few; the varying needs are enormous. It is neither realistic nor reasonable to apply general rules and conditions. Yes, certain basic criteria will always apply and similar questions will be raised – but and it is a big but – it is the value and content of the answers that will determine the most appropriate systems technology relative to each individual project. Every case is unique and must be treated so. Any other route would be an abrogation of responsibilities and a mark of unethical behavior against the client or end-user. A potential client must seek and listen to the best advice sought and abide by that advice and should not compromise or risk a reputation for a solution on the sea of expediency. Before I can embark upon the solutions to a particular risk – firstly the risk has to be defined and in doing so more questions are raised. The strategy however, is to know which questions to ask – and not to ask leading questions where one is leading the client. The client or the end user has to be brutally honest about their perceived risks. What is at risk? – People, property, stock, raw materials, data, confidential information, utility supplies, profits, money, reputation or status? How is the risk currently protected? Who is responsible for the security of the risk? The hierarchal structure – from the guard on the gate to the CEO, the Ambassador, the Minister, the General Manager and other members? What is the level of responsibility at each level? What are the decision’s critical path criteria? What are the access routes to the risk? Types of doors, gates & barriers, corridors, open ground approaches, volumes of people, and rights of access, health and safety. Why does the risk exist? Who has access to the risk? Does the risk itself need additional protection or a requirement for authorized use? For instance a plant, equipment, machinery, computers, copying machines, telephones, safe deposits, scanning devices, command and control centers or other appliances? DEFINING THE RISK The general risks, whilst apparent to all, need to be identified in every case. They include the detailed assessment of any of these risks in relation to any area(s) or group(s) and their bearing on operational and monitoring strategies for maximum efficiency. The total site configuration along with individual specified areas can be categorized in the following manner. Outer Perimeter Approach Zones Middle Ground Approach Zones Middle Ground Perimeter Core Approach Zones Core Perimeter Core This is a very simple scenario that can be adapted and modified to virtually any situation or location. Each of the sectors need to be addressed individually and a Risk Status defined. Each Risk Status will require a specific level of protection and technology applied to it – subject to the answers to the original set of evaluation questions. Risk Overview - Other Considerations Access To where, by whom, why? Accountability To whom and by whom Control Where? Conditions, Why, How? Deterrence Against what? Evidence For what purpose, circumstances (The Law)? Information Purpose, Reason, to whom, method? Knowledge How related to other issues? (Training) Management Control Define purpose & concurrent relationships Prevention Of what, why? Proof For what purpose? System Transmission To where and why? Verification Of what, why? SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS In consideration of the Risk Overview it is imperative that control regulations are instigated and adopted in line with Europe, but more importantly with the UK who has one of the most stringent security systems controls more than many other nations. These must be based on or replicate the rules of: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) National Association and Council for Security Systems (NACOSS) It is the intention of TransAfrica2000 and Three Lions Security to assist not only the Government of Ghana but also the relevant bodies in ECOWAS and Africa to develop a HOME GROWN CONCEPT for the adoption of these rules and guidelines. It must become a matter of statute – as it is in the UK and other parts of the world (for instance borrowing from the USA HOMELAND SECURITY concept) covering every facet of Information Technology and Security given legality by the senate. SYSTEMS Any or all of the following would be considered for inclusion in a system and are available from the TransAfrica2000 & Three Lions Security Ltd strategic partnership. (Inspection – Testing – Design Configuration – Procurement and Training). COMMUNICATIONS VHF – UHF – Short Wave – GPS – Satellite – Microwave – Laser – Infra Red. 2-way and multi task systems – Base station systems – Portable & Mobile Systems – Battlefield command systems – Control & command systems – Dispatch systems. Encrypted Systems and scramblers. Hubs and group data transmission – Video and audio conferencing Secure LAN / WAN / Ethernet systems – Anti hacking and Counter measures. SURVEILLANCE Closed Circuit Television Surveillance methods including both analogue and digital methods. IP Network systems Networking transmission systems Thermal imaging All methods of signal transmission, display and retrieval. Digital ( Inc Raid 5) recording, storage and retrieval: either direct or remote. All types of cameras, lenses, recorders and control systems. Control room functions, design, operation, management and all operator training and monitoring and communications interfaces. Automatic speech recording interface for PA, Short Wave, Ship to Shore, ATC in both time and lip-synch modes. CONTROL SYSTEMS All forms of electronic access control and card technologies Identity card systems Audio and video entry command systems Electronic gate and barrier systems and all relevant interface systems Biometric systems (Facial / Finger / Iris) Vehicle registration / plate recognition and identification systems. Covert surveillance systems Vehicle and body tracking systems IDENTIFICATION ID and driving license card systems Smart Cards – Embedded read / write cards – Mag Swipe – Bar Code – Watermark – RFID – Proximity. Stand alone and complete network systems via any means of communication medium. Biometrics – Face – Iris – Retina – Hand – Finger (single or Ten Plate) - Voice Database design and construction ( one to one or one to many) Fixed or proactive biometrics analysis and data base management Distributed database management. DETECTION All and every known form of movement or anti movement detection device – internal or external – short or long range – VMD –VAD – Fence systems passive and electrified – Acoustic sensing and energy sensing devices proactive and passive Article tagging and tracking. LIGHTING All forms and types of lighting: Internal & External. Decorative, Defensive, Industrial, Domestic, Street. Uplighters, Downlighters TRAINING Full programmes of product, systems, and management training along with threat assessment – risk analysis and contingency planning. All aspects of applied technology in the field of pro-active surveillance systems Control room management and operation methods and practices. Awareness & contingency anticipation and consequence flow line monitoring. International quality standards. Training will apply to all personnel in all organisations with an identified need. Training will be structured and in many cases will carry an internationally recognised certificate. OBJECTIVES 1] Maximize deterrence against All Criminal Activities (The right equipment). 2] Maximize information for dissemination to all departments and individuals - on a strictly need to know basis. (Mutual understanding). 3] Maximize Proof of Evidence for prosecution. (Capture of criminals). 4] Maximize safety and welfare of all personnel and staff. (Employee well being). 5] Maximize safety and efficiency in respect of movements of vehicles, cargos and associated operatives. (Tracking of Traffic). 6] Maximize comfort, well-being and information systems for the benefit of customers, passengers & VIP’s. (The “feel good factor” – they must like what they see and feel in the shop window). 7] Maximize lines of communication and opportunities for access to and by other agencies & government departments. (Interface expansion). 8] Maximize efficiency of management and supervisory structures for incident response, monitoring procedures and operational control (More effective time management that will lead to greater individual and group motivation & identity). 9] Maximize knowledge, awareness and potential of all staff and employees. (Knowledge = Confidence + Individual Responsibility will lead to a more easily managed workforce more ready and able to identify with their work place =Greater loyalty which in turn will lead to a more efficient and self motivated workforce). 10] Minimize wrong attitudes. (The integration of electronics systems in association with added awareness and training would hopefully result in a common bond of loyalty between all. Conclusion Our solution is to integrate all those systems and parts as established and identified by our local and international Project Management & Coordination Committee/Group, into a single cohesive, fully interactive and integrated system. The systems will range from Fire Alarms to CCTV Cameras & Monitoring Stations, Wireless cameras and other applications including MICROWAVE TRANSMISSION, from CUTE to Biometric Controls and from Weather Information to A.F.T.N. & Public Address (including Autovac), PABX systems with special customize features, PIR detectors, INTRUDER Alarms, ETHERNET, Two Way Radio Trunking System (MPT1327) from 2 channel to 120 channels with encryption and PSTN options in simplex and full duplex mode. There shall also be included the necessity to investigate, design and instigate a cohesive operational strategy – where it does not already exist – encompassing all those relevant bodies and agencies who have a need to be aware of specific data and conditions arising at any given time. Any technology, system application, infrastructure or control management platform is as good as those individuals chosen to man them. This brings to play the issue of ethical integrity in choice, which is an important factor for positive results. The issue of ethical integrity is very crucial because the advancement in technology and the issue of security brings to the fore the conflict between personal liberty and the responsibility of the state to protect itself and her citizens from criminals and what is usually called the lunatic fringe or terrorists. These are very serious issues that may eventually include amending sections of the constitution. The amendments will also be done with an eye on the various international conventions on the protection of the rights of the individual; human rights issues that Ghana has been a signatory to so that in her desire to protect itself and citizens, a police state is not created while data captured is not negatively used against citizens thereby defeating the very good and laudable purpose for which the exercise was intended. Sooner than later the state, businesses, institutions, public and private sector and industries must confront this in its efforts to bring the country in line with modern Information Communication Technology and Security obligations for their survival.

WITH HINDSIGHT
12th June 2003
THE WAY FORWARD Part 1 By: Syl Juxon Smith BSc, Business Administration Dip.Intl.Trade
Sierra Leone, the land of milk and honey, the Athens of Africa, the paradise of nature is being disorganized, prostituted, raped and destroyed. As still one of the virgin territories in our world today, the nation could have gone through a well-organized, well-planned and principle-oriented development program shortly after attaining independence, with an opportunity for everyone in and out of the nation to be a genuine part of the process. In the abundance of water the fool is thirsty. Oh what a rat race, it is a disgrace to see this human race in a rat race. With all our minerals and resources we are hungry, dilapidated, malnourished, sickly, homeless and downtrodden. Sierra Leone needs ‘A RENNAISANCE’ - rediscovering and claiming its heritage. Almost the whole world, which consists of our people and others, are tired of the present state of affairs, which could be traced back to all of us in one way or the other. It is sad to note that up till now after all our calamities, misfortune, destructions of lives and property we have not learnt anything from our actions, some are still reaching out to cast the first stone, some are still hunting for others blood, some are still calling others names. We have opted for justice and reconciliation. The mechanism is on the floor being administered by the best competent individuals with their ethics and integrity not compromised. It is with dismay some Sierra Leoneans are challenging the very system they initiated and requested for. What is wrong with us? Do we know what we really want? Yes I do believe that some sierra Leoneans find others from day one so threatening to their ego and ambitions that they are prepare to go to all extreme to drink their blood at all cost. Majority of them making all the hullabaloo cannot show any solid foundation outside politics, suffered under the war crisis or its intensity or loose anything in terms of investments, private properties, assets, loved ones to say the list but yet are now championing democracy and want to even dictate how the process of the special court should be administered. This is a big shame to the identity and integrity of our country Sierra Leone. The best thing that has ever happen to our country is the Special Court and the TRC. In due cause there will be revelations that will surprise the whole world. The people know their tormentors with time all shall know them in the name of business, politics, tribalism and corruption. “ It is better to err on the side of right, than to try to right a wrong”. Our experiences should have brought us closer but yet we are so far apart, even growing more tribalistic and partisan. It is very logical and natural, that when one has lost everything but one, great care is taken, when handling that one which remains. This should be precisely the common approach to the Sierra Leonean scenario. Human memory is so fragile that the pain and agony through which an achievement is made can be easily forgotten, otherwise, our independence and our hard won peace and the efforts of the special court and the international community would have received a better dividend or reward. After such events including the unwarranted political rebel war, injustices, rampant corruption with impunity, sober reflections must now be undertaken on the origins of these event in orders to take stock, pay homage to the men, women and children that lost their lives and majority of others languishing in refugee camps around and some in exile for fear of persecution and victimization. In fine all must renew a pledge of re-dedication and commitment to the ideal of a peaceful resolution as prescribed by the international community to the forgivable chapter but not so easily forgettable episode in the history of mother Sierra Leone. “To err is human, to forgive is divine”. We all know deep down in our hearts that if we put our strengths together to stop the continuing state of stubbornness, corruption with impunity, mob justice, political persecution, jealousy, gossips, backbiting, pull him down syndrome and other negative vices on one another and the nation and rebuild the broken walls, we will surely change for the better and preserved a paradise for ourselves and generations after us. FUTURE PROSPECTS Economically, in investment terms, there are undoubtedly benefits for all of us, as we would be guaranteed another opportunity to put our knowledge, talents, skills and abilities to use. We would be assured of expansions in our businesses and organizations. The world would have nothing to be insecure about in all forms of relationships with the Sierra Leonean people - A GENUINE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP. CO-EXISTENCE Nations and continents around the globe whose governments and tax payers are unhappy with the influx of Sierra Leonean (economic refugees) unto their terrains, and the pumping of their tax money into development programs which are sometimes mismanaged by unpatriotic brothers and sisters of ours, will be relieved. With our values solid, and our goals clear, we will together face a life of prosperity and the deepest love and security. SECOND GENERATION Sierra Leone, led by its entrepreneurs like myself and others must now open a forum for dialogue spearheading the process of reconciliation and healing of our nation and continent, to change, develop and preserve the GREAT SIERRA LEONEAN AFRICAN ENTERPRISE. Just as a seed has enough strength and power within itself to break out of any tough situation in the right environment, so do the people of Sierra Leone and the rest of the world have the ability, capability, will and strength to propel the nation to progress from DESPAIR TO HOPE, to transform POSSIBILTY INTO REALITY and IDEALS INTO FACTS, if the right environment and conducive system for serious development is created for patriotic countrymen and friends of Sierra Leone. The New Vision is one, which the nation must be assisted in renewing the MIND-SET and WORLDVIEW of its people, which would ultimately result in the transformation of attitude, character and approach to development. This is the new foundation for real growth and development. The comprehensive renewal of attitudes, the current system and society in the Sierra Leonean nation, driven by the talents of all her people irrespective of their race, creed or political inclination, would result in the new foundation -‘A NATION DILIGENTLY TO SINCERELY WORK TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR ITSELF IN DIGNITY’. Peace and stability is a prerequisite for any meaningful development and progress. The world operates by the natural principle of symphony and harmony. The black and white keys of a piano need each other to create sweet and meaningful melody. The reality is that, we cannot ignore the fact nor wish away the reality that we need each other to build a strong nation and on this principle, all Sierra Leoneans must go back to the legacy GOD planted in us, which takes us back to the beginning-‘WE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPER’. I am inviting genuine, committed, progressive, fruitful and development-oriented partners without any prejudice or exception to join and support SECOND GENERATION SIERRA LEONE and its people, to embark on THE NEW VISION FOR POSITIVE CHANGE - ‘ RETURNING SIERRA LEONE TO ITS PAST GLORY'. Every interest, presence, support and partnership will in itself, constitute a tribute to our past, present and future generations, and the profound statement of hope that all of us together, will continue to expand the frontiers of our existence and humanity. This is a seed idea for all patriots to pour in their contributions to make it a worth-the-while programme for the overall good of our beloved country. Nature has implanted in us a sacred and indissoluble attachment to the country whence we derive our birth and infant nurture. You are the only ARM OF GOD stretched out to an ailing MOTHER SIERRA LEONE. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY www.transafrica2000.com info@transafrica2000.com A TRIBUTRE To the late Abdul Sankoh MSc Electrical Engineering (Member of the Royal Institute of Electrical Engineers)I would want to pay a special tribute to a very special friend and brother who did not forget what I did for him in Sierra Leone and in the UK while pursuing his educational ambition. Putting himself, his time and effort in inspiring and working with me through my university programme even when he was admitted at the Kings College Hospital in his sick bed, he was ever so willing to discuss and assist in my project assignments references and reviews which today I am proud and honoured to dedicate my new lease of life achievement to. His actions gave me renewed hope that all is not lost. There is still many good Sierra Leoneans out there that means well and grateful. May the good lord keep him in his bosom and his everlasting perpetual light shine on him till we meet again. From Syl Juxon Smith

INTERNATIONAL TRADE & PUBLIC RELATIONS
17th April 2001	IDV
Mr Syl Juxon-Smith appointed International Trade and Public Relations Consultant.
Idv a very reputable international organisation with over 20 years experience in doing business in Africa has decided to appoint Mr Syl juxon Smith as their african representative in the following countries: SIERRA LEONE-GUINEA-GAMBIA-GHANA-LIBERIA and IVORY COAST. For more information on this you must go to AfricaInvest Link.

MPT-1327 TRUNKING SYSTEMS-TURN KEY SOLUTION FOR AFRICA
23rd MAY 2000	COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
FYLDE MICRO SYSTEMS MANUFACTURERS,SUPPLIERS AND DESIGNERS OF COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Introducing Fylde Micro Systems to Africa as one of the alternative solutions for our basic communication needs is long awaited. I have just completed a course with other individuals from various part of the glode at the Fylde Micro Systems headquaters in Blackpool. This kind of transperency from a manufacturer is the basic norm of establishing a positive interaction between the seller and the buyer which manifest confidence. In this seminar, we learn about the manufacturer, its products and services to its numerous customers. In the final analysis, it gives us the knowledge and confidence in our presentation in assisting our various clients in making the right choice. MPT-1327 TRUNKING is the solution for Africa. This technology comprises of so many facilities all in one system, which before was not possible or cost effective. With this system you can integrate the following options all inclusive: ALARM REPORTING, PAGING, GPS/AVL, TELEPHONE INTERCONNECT-SEMI/FULL DUPLEX, DISPATCH CONSOLES, GROUP CALLS, SCRAMBLING DEVICES FOR SECURITY TWO WAY RADIO AND MOBILE APPLICATION, SYSTEM MANAGER TO CONTORL AND MONITOR NETWORK and many other application. This is all designed in the FYLDE MPT-1327 Trunking. With my experience in this field,I cannot find any other solution, than the FYLDE MPT-1327 Trunking System. With us the Radio and Trunking Distributor, together with FYLDE MICROSYSTEMS, makes the following offer for you: 1. Design your MPT Trunking System Including Links for Multi-Site 2. Integrate Your System Using Flyde Controllers with Tait or Motorola Repeaters 3. Conduct factory acceptance test with you at factory 4. Provide training on your system at the factory 5. Commission the system on site to your satisfaction 6. We will design the combining system, antenna system, grounding and protection devices, cabling systems, power supply system AC or DC 7. Configure your system management terminal and alarm reporting features 8. Provide FREE software upgrades as released 9. Provide after sales assistance and support 10.Teach you maintenance procedures to follow 11.Develop special application software if required 12.Recommend or provide radio terminals-Teach you programming of the radios 13.Recommend or provide special applications such as AVL/GPS, regional and local telephones interconnect, Email applications, regional & inter-regional Group calls, dispatch consoles, scrambling devices for security applications, and more 14.Provide 24 hour assistance and response for all inquiries 15.ENSURE THAT YOU ARE A SATISFIED CUSTOMER I invite you to become one of the thousands of SATISFIED CUSTOMERS while operating your MPT-1327 Trunking System. Please feel free to ask any questions, request detailed literature, or request a quote to me personally on email: juxonsmith@cs.com Fax: 44-207-681 3097.

WITH HINDSIGHT -THE WAY FORWARD PART 111
24th October 2003	PUBLICATIONS
Business, Politics and Corruption - by Syl Juxon Smith (Contents culled from my Thesis on the above topic - Case Study Sierra Leone)
Statement of the Problem The facet of Sierra Leone existence has being embroiled in bad governance and wide spread corruption from time immemorial in its politics and leadership, including its bureaucracy. The system rejects the pursuit of a broader project of creating a state that serves a collective good or even creating institutions that are capable of developing independent perspectives and acting on behalf of interests distinct from its past and present leadership personal exercise of power. Economic development is abjured when it threatens to put resources into the hands of those who might use them to challenge the leaders' position. Consequently, anxious leaders contract a wide array of economic roles to outsiders, in part to deny resources to internal rivals and to use outsiders' skills and connections to gather as much wealth as possible then convert wealth into political resources, buying the loyalty of some and buying weapons to coerce others and thus gather more resources and so on. More significantly, the virtual total absence of bureaucratic state institutions, or "state collapse," means outsiders also take on a wider range of political roles conventionally reserved for state institutions, such as providing internal security for leaders and diplomatic relations with other outsiders. Indeed, Sierra Leone politics was marked by intense patronage system after independence. Successive leaders found themselves presiding over a diverse society in which colonial rulers had not created with the intention that it would become a sovereign state. Individuals who exercised power in their own right create a "shadow state," a very real, bur not formally recognised, patronised system that was rigidly organised and centered on leaders' control over resources for personal gains rather than for the benefits of the country and its people. Every valuable mineral asset in Sierra Leone has been mortgaged to various international conglomerates in partnership with past and present governments. The economy is in complete shambles, depending on handouts from the international donor agencies including the IMF and World Bank for its sustenance. Purpose of the Study One of the aims of this study is to document the behaviors and attitudes of business entrepreneurs, politicians and their cohorts. Behavior of the political and business elite that affect the ability of the state to progress and function effectively in which corruption is seen as a way of life and necessity. The business entrepreneurs and politicians who are supposed to be "pace-setters'' and leading exemplary lives are a dreadful disappointment in setting standards for society. They engage in persistent corruption evidenced by the numerous scandals and inquiries and many have received only minimal penalties. Sierra Leonean’s are quite serious about reducing corruption and are willing to support specific measures. Government should place a high priority on reduction measures to ensure some level of accountability and transparency. However, in terms of specificity, people think corruption will not be reduced; many believe reduction is unlikely; those living in very poor conditions do not think it will be reduced; and people with more possessions think it is impossible to reduce corruption. It is critical to understand that whatever measures are taken to successfully fight this malaise must involve the public. Citizens need to be sensitive about corruption by either refusing to take or give bribes. Civil Society and Non-governmental organizations should play a significant role to help restore national values by getting involved in the fight against corruption and bad governance. Statement of Hypotheses There are two questions in these hypotheses that are very paramount to this study. The first one is corruption in government perpetrated mainly by ministers and senior government officials, and the second is corruption in society involving elite businessmen and their political partners, including the head of state. Why do ministers need to be so corrupt with impunity that they do not even care about the country and repercussion? And secondly, why are businessmen so entrenched into politics and basically influencing the general activities of government to an extent and getting away with it? Definition of Terms Corruption exists in varying degrees in all political systems in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The term apolitical "political corruption' has a multiplicity of meanings and has been defined variously by numerous authors. There are important differences between "corruption" as defined in the official laws of various nations, "corruption" as it affects the public, and "corruption" as defined by public opinion-by the people who are both the ultimate authorities in democratic nations and the ones who by their complacency and their collusion may contribute to corrupt activities, or by their vigilance and integrity may assist authorities in monitoring public officials. Since there is no unanimity in approach to defining corruption, it is important there to note, as have other scholars, that the term. "Corruption" is a relative concept. In other words, the norms and specifics of one society do not always agree or correspond to the norms of another society. This includes such behavior as bribery (use of rewards to pervert the judgment of a person in a position of trust); nepotism (bestowal of patronage by reason of inscriptive relationship rather than merit); and misappropriation (illegal appropriation of public resources for private uses). Some scholars have noted certain limitations with public office definitions of corruption particularly with the thesis that it is behavior, which deviates from normal duties or violates rules. This part of the definition leads to major variations in what different nations see as corruption. Some governments do not have formal rules about official and bureaucrats mix their officials duties and their private business affairs. In order words, the "normal duties" of an official in one country may include accepting "gifts" or making a decision even if it involves a conflict of interest. In Sierra Leone, there are on rules forbidding these acts, or public expectations may indicate that they are "normal" in society. Therefore, they fall outside the definition of corruption in those nations even though those acts would be labelled corrupt in other nations. Johnston offers an "environmental" theory for the cause of corruption. Corrupt conduct can only be identified and understood in its context. It grows out of fundamental forces and tensions in the political system rather than out of individual misbehavior, structural deficiencies, or insufficient ethical training. All these aspects of the political system can be addressed, he thinks, yet corruption and the forces that sustain it may still play a part in politics. This is primary because government is such an important source of goods, services, money, decisions and authority. The basic pressures and tensions that make corruption so advantageous and tempting are products not of so called "bad" people to whom society have entrusted political power, nor necessarily of flawed institutions, but rather of government's relationship to society. Traditions, customs and widespread political attitudes all influence corruption, but so does the role which society assigns to government. The frequency with which corruption sparks scandals and coups is an indication that this issue is often far from settled. Johnson noted that it is difficult to do comparative analyses across nations because the standards used to judge behavior differ. Instead, corruption must be judged by a society's own legal and cultural standards and those of the state including both dominant values of the society and its basic institutions. Victor T. LeVine, an expert on African politics argues that in some countries that there is a culture of corruption and an informal polity. He discusses this point in his work by quoting a Ghanaian: "We Ghanaians are so accustomed to bribing our officials, and they too stealing our rate-moneys, that it would be considered odd if we didn't bribe and they didn't steal. The culture LeVine argues "embodies certain supportive values, orientations, and expectations that not only scope of corruption but determine its focus (ie who should be bribed) and its modus operandi (e.g., how and when a transaction ought to be initiated and how much it should cost). Thus it is more than likely, even perhaps both necessary and desirable, that "proof" of a culture of political corruption consists of a compound of data-published documentation, personal intuitions and observations, the cumulative observations and judgments of others, and a wide range of circumstantial evidence. Undeniably, such evidence is likely to be empirically deficient in many respects. The point here is that in Sierra Leone where conception has been widespread it is difficult to eradicate by simply stopping bribery. It is a practical stratagem, which affords one a workable way of looking after one's needs and interests and achieving income and security. Bribery is so deeply ingrained in the system that it is a practical necessity for getting business done in both the public and private sectors. You can "get things done quickly" if you play the game and offer suitable bribes to appropriate people. Market-centered definitions seem to have particular relevance to those who pursue an economic analysis of these illegal activities. Some scholars maintain corruption in everyday life means a civil servant abuses his authority in order to obtain an extra income. In other words, a corrupt civil servant regards his public office as a business, the income from which he will seek to maximize. This economic definition of conception holds true in many African countries such as Sierra Leone, where bribery constitutes an important means by which, individual wants and needs are satisfied. This Definition is useful in this study because of the focus on bureaucratic corruption and the abuse of public office for illegal private gain. Public opinion definitions are of vital interest in this study. How do the people of Sierra Leone define corruption? It is important to understand how it is defined in a particular country primarily because if there are significant differences between a nation's laws and how most citizens define corrupt behavior, official and government employees will be guided more by local statute. Citizens' values are likely to affect how they behave-whether they will offer bribes or abide by the law. Once public opinion about corruption in Sierra Leone is understood, we will better know how to develop effective law enforcement. One of the limitations of using public opinion is the significant variation in definitions. For example, a Sierra Leonean might think nothing of giving a gift to a judge presiding over a case in which he was involved. Samuel Huntington, the author of Political Order in Changing Societies, examining corruption in the process of development, saw it as: "One measure of ineffective political institutionalisation which is prevalent during the most intense phase of modernization; it is not so much the result of deviance of behavior from accepted norms, but deviance of norms from established patterns of behavior". Controlling corruption is one of the greatest challenges to the establishment and consolidation of democratic systems in Africa. The centralised nature of African governments and the lack of transparency and accountability have contributed significantly in making the continent a breeding ground for corruption. Africans hold the state responsible for their economic hardships in large part because of widespread abuse in official circles. Paradoxically, this abuse has fostered democratisation by forcing groups within civil society to take matters into their own hands. Consequently, in many African nations, real political process and legitimate link between state and society has yet to grow. Corruption is linked to this dilemma. Corruption in Sierra Leone is usually a manifestation of the weaknesses of the bourgeoisie, the ineffectual role and place of the state, the structure of production and accumulation and an impotent economy and society. The state has inadvertently encouraged fiscal irresponsibility by inconsistently prosecuting those suspected of fraud and failing to enforce anticorruption laws. More important, given the state's inability to meet the basic needs of people in an increasingly difficult and hostile economy and society, people have come to rely on illegal, unorthodox and corrupt mechanisms to survive. Mass poverty, unemployment, elites' abuse of power, neglect of rural areas and vulnerable groups has encouraged the spread of corruption. Sierra Leone's 1992 commissions of inquiry revealed nauseating and enumerable cases of rampant corruption, so-called day light robbery by politicians; grotesque abuses of office by civil servants; theft and cheating by government contractors; and collusion between foreign and local businessmen and trans national corporations to plunder the state of money goods and services. Aid donors are increasingly insistent that political reforms reduce corruption and increase financial accountability, increase sensitivity to human rights violation, institute and protect an independent press and judiciary, and promote measures to encourage participatory politics and a liberalised market economy. Only with these reforms can countries plagued with economic stability move closer to the ultimate goal of meaningful growth and development. Furthermore, donor countries and organisations now insist that African countries address issues of democracy and governance to ensure broad-based sustainable growth. These are all positive signs for recipient countries. This new insistence on good governance provides a window of opportunity for Sierra Leone democracy to push for transparency and accountability. Some theorists place the blame squarely upon African leadership by arguing: "If the society is corrupt, tribalistic, nepotic, extravagant and ridden with violence, it is because its aristocrats – its leaders and rulers and the middle-class-are corrupt, sectionalist, violent and roguish. The day that leadership destroys the canker worm within itself, the rank and file of the society will be frightened to indulge in questionable and sharp practices. Therefore, if we want to reform society we must first reform the calibre of the aristocracy". The Sierra Leone Mafia Organized crime in Africa especially in Sierra Leone, invests in legitimate businesses not only to ‘launder’ dirty money but also to make capital for their illegal activities. The preferred business endeavors for this are luxury real estate, supermarkets, wholesale and retail shops, gold and diamond export dealings, import and export, car dealings, hotels, and banking, contracts and supplies. The dirty money of organized crime is utilized by the commercial banks for its activities: loans, investments in financial markets, purchase of bonds for foreign debt, buying and selling of gold and stocks. ‘In many countries, the criminal organizations have become the creditors of the States and they exert, because of their actions on the markets, an influence over the macroeconomic politics of the governments. In addition to the laundering of dirty money, taxes are evaded while some elite benefits the countries and continent continue to decay. Sophisticated and modern High technology facilitates crimes and permits the rapid circulation of money and the disappearance of illegal profits. “The legal and illegal businesses overlap more and more, they introduce a fundamental change in the structures of a countries economy especially those out of post-war era like Sierra Leone. Africa’s mafias including foreign and local players invest in legal businesses, and inversely, they channel financial resources towards the criminal economy, through the control of banks and commercial companies implicated the laundering of dirty money or which have relations with criminal organizations. The banks pretend that the transactions are carried out in good faith and ignore the origin of the funds deposited. The rule is to ask no questions, the bank officials and the anonymity of transactions, this entire guarantee the interests of organized crime they protect the banking institution from public investigations and from blame. Not only do the large banks accept laundered money, in view of their heavy commissions, but they also concede credits at high interest rates to syndicates, to the detriment of productive individuals and entrepreneurs. Bato Politics Grand corruption in this category were our African elite falls in, has been defined as ‘the misuse of public power by heads of state, ministers and senior officials for private pecuniary gain’. With grand corruption we are dealing with highly placed individuals who exploit their position to extract large bribes from representatives of transnational corporations; business contractors, arms dealers, fly by night briefcase businessmen, diamond and gold dealers, drug barons and the like, who appropriate significant pay-offs from contract scams, or who simply transfer large sums of money from the public treasury into private usually overseas bank accounts. Economic crimes deserving attention fall into two categories: first, are those that harm large numbers by enforcing an economic policy that serves the elite, as with Camdessus’ ‘structural adjustment’ programs for poor countries. A second form of crime is large-scale theft, by African politicians, governmental officials, and syndicates (Africa’s Mafia) supported by Arabs mainly Lebanese and Europeans networks. This has been the main factor for our economic woes, which makes the economy very complex and difficult in devising prudent measures and making headway in solutions, because we lack the courage and are afraid not bold enough to tackle the problem from its roots. Sierra Leoneans are very much aware of the involvement of certain groups of aliens that are now part of the structure of its body politics and economy. Casting our minds back for one moment to the last military coup in 1997. During this period of interregnum, UN sanctions and embargoes were placed on the military regime. Lebanese businessmen in concert with other Europeans, broke these sanctions by importing fuel, rice including weapons into the country. A list was prepared with names of collaborators and saboteurs including foreigners living and doing business in the country. Many Sierra Leoneans paid dearly losing their lives to MOB JUSTICE executed by government party loyalist and militias all in the name of democracy. Foreigners mainly Lebanese who benefited and continue to profit from our political confusions and corruption were never targeted but protected. Nothing punitive or judicial action taken, no Lebanese was tried or imprisoned. Yet all were pardoned and allowed back into the county to continue their exploitation businesses that brings no gains or benefit to the overall good of Sierra Leone. The other day a Lebanese was charged for murder and remanded to the central prison awaiting trial. Amazingly authorities allowed the culprit to be secretly removed from the prison to a private motel to quietly relax with family pending trial. At the truth and reconciliation a prominent Lebanese figure in the diamond business was mentioned as one of the financiers of the RUF rebellion. Nothing was ever said about it or any hulaboulah made out of it. Could you imagine if it were a prominent Sierra Leonean businessman name mentioned, what would have happen? We know very well the answer, victimization, persecution, and condemnation, you name it will be given to him. We are eager to quickly condemn our own and easily forgive outsiders who continue to rape and destroy our beautiful country? Why? Cronyism, a term habitually associated with the Sierra Leonean politics is clearly pervasive among political and business elites. In his masterly account of ‘how Washington works’, Smith has catalogued the multifarious exchanges—federal employment, access to key figures and information, free flights on private jets, holidays overseas, tickets for major sporting events, invitations to dinner with ‘big shots’ and so on—which constitute the core of ‘the power game’ in the United States been copied by the African elite politicians with westernized orientations. Crime has become one of the most flourishing economic activities, run by professionals who have taken on board all the rules of modern management and technology. Castells describes a global criminal economy as ‘the networking of powerful organizations, and their associates, in shared activities throughout the planet . . . (as) a new phenomenon that profoundly affects international and national economies, politics, security, technology, business, the private and public sectors inclusive, development and ultimately, societies at large’. These criminals are active in such things as trafficking in weapons, illegal immigrants, body parts, women and children, cyber crime, 419, and money laundering. Africa where the gap between rich and poor and social disparities are so great that the less privilege women have only their bodies to sell is swooped upon by networks of traffickers doing a most profitable trade in human beings, be they women, children, workers or sources of organs for transplant and hiring child combatants in insurgencies and jobless youths into rebellious actions in political gangsterism. This type of derogatory criminal activity has now become ‘a significant and troubling component for African economies, its body politics and the global financial flows. Conclusion Corruption has now moved to the top of government’s and African financial institution’s agenda. World Bank President James Wolfensohn at an anti-corruption conference in 1999 said that industrialised countries ‘do not want to give money for development assistance that ends up in offshore bank accounts’. Anti-corruption drive must be the bedrock for economic reforms, which strengthens governance and public sector management. This brings me to the Sierra Leonean scenario. It is amazing to note that the international community has spent well over $1.5 billion between 1999 and 2003 in the country. What do we have to show for this? The result of our immoral behavior is reducing the patience of the international community especially Britain who is our major contributor. They have now decided under a strategic programmed to send judges to assist the country’s judiciary in facilitating cases that are awaiting trials for corruption. This is a clear signal of failure on all sides, both the government and the bureaucracy to arrest the malfeasances and decay bringing to justice perpetrators, which in retrospect is stifling and affecting the overall economic progress, developments, and improvements of the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. Where are the professionals, religious leaders, academicians, aristocrats, democrats, civil society and the so-called good guys? Save Sierra Leone’s dignity. Contact: juxonsmith@aol.com

WITHINSIGHT: THE WAY FORWARD Part 4
24th October 2003	PUBLICATIONS
A Constitution of No Authority? “He who runs to avoid Nemesis catching up with him, will only stop to rest in Nemesis waiting arms”
Longer main description

WITHINSIGHT: THE WAY FORWARD Part 4
24th October 2003	PUBLICATIONS
A Constitution of No Authority? “He who runs to avoid Nemesis catching up with him, will only stop to rest in Nemesis waiting arms”
The present quagmire between the TRC and the International Court in Sierra Leone has influenced me to delved into this matter, to actually understand the experiences as we see it individually, its adventurism, the jargons and precarious circumstance we have brought our country, ourselves and our sovereignty into. As of now, there seems to be so much constitutional and political masturbation, confusion and interpretations threatening our very morality, dignity and sovereignty. Outline below, are three factors inter woven within our constitution that’s threatens its very legality and authority by our actions and behaviour, with regards to its interpretations, which was willingly consented to by its framers the very politicians of Sierra Leone. What has gone wrong? Is it the process, the system, the government, politicians or the people? Did we sex up our constitution or the politics of our democracy? 1. The International UN Court- was setup by the United Nation on request by the present Sierra Leonean government, the SLPP. It is to have both international criminal law flavour, based on standard war crimes proceedings and local treasonable and criminal interpretations. (The first model of experimentation). 2. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission- is based on the South African model for the process of reconciliation in documentations of the facts and truths by the perpetrators and victims. (With immunity from prosecution of utterances that may incriminate anyone testifying before it). 3. Our Local Courts- are to carry on with business as usual to try those of crime against the people and state, as it is enshrined in the constitution of Sierra Leone. It is plain, in the first place, that the language of our constitution, as an agreement, purports to be only what it is at most really was, viz., a contract between the people existing and of necessity, binding as a contract. In the second place, the language neither expresses nor implies that we had any right or power, to trade it, interfere, abuse, doctored or prostitute it. How would "posterity" will, shall, we be judged. It only says, in effect, that our hopes and motives in adopting it were that it might prove useful to lives and posterity by promoting our union, safety, tranquillity, liberty, human right, dignity, and sovereignty. It would only indicate that the supposed welfare our lives and posterity was one of the motives that induced the original parties to enter into this agreement. When a man says he is building a house for himself and his posterity, he does not mean to be understood as saying that he has any thought of binding them, nor is it to be inferred that he is so foolish as to imagine that he has any right or power to bind them, to live in it. So far as they are concerned, he only means to be understood as saying that his hopes and motives, in building it, are that they, or at least some of them, may find it for their happiness to live in it. So when a man says he is planting a tree for himself and his posterity, he does not mean to be understood as saying that he has any thought of compelling them, nor is it to be inferred that he is such a simpleton as to imagine that he has any right or power to compel them, to eat the fruit. So far as they are concerned, he only means to say that his hopes and motives, in planting the tree, are that its fruit may be agreeable to them. So it was with those who originally adopted the Constitution. Whatever may have been their personal intentions, the legal meaning of their language, so far as their "posterity" was concerned, simply was, that their hopes and motives, in entering into the agreement, were that it might prove useful and acceptable to their posterity; that it might promote their union, safety, tranquillity, and welfare; and that it might tend "to secure to them the blessings of liberty." The language does not assert nor at all imply any right, power, or disposition, on the part of the original parties to the agreement, to compel their "posterity" to live under it. If they had intended to bind their posterity to live under it, they should have said that their objective was, not "to secure to them the blessings of liberty," but to make slaves of them; for if their "posterity" is bound to live under it, they are nothing less than the slaves of their foolish, tyrannical, and dead grandfathers. Of the one-sixth that are permitted to vote, probably not more than two-thirds (about one-ninth of the whole population) have usually voted. Many never vote at all. Many vote only once in five, or ten years, in periods of great excitement. No one, by voting, can be said to pledge himself for any longer period than that for which he votes. If, for example, I vote for a member of parliament who is to hold his office for only a 4 year period, I cannot be said to have thereby pledged myself to support the government beyond that term. Therefore, on the ground of actual voting, it probably cannot be said that more than one-ninth or one-eighth, of the whole population are usually under any pledge to support such a Constitution. It cannot be said that, by voting, a man pledges himself to support the Constitution, unless the act of voting be a perfectly fair and voluntary one on his part. Yet the act of voting cannot properly be called a fair and voluntary one on the part of any very large number of those who do vote. It is rather a measure of necessity imposed upon them by others, than one of their own choice. "In truth, in the case of individuals, their actual voting is not to be taken as proof of consent, even for the time being. On the contrary, it is to be considered that, without his consent having even been asked a man finds himself environed by a government that he cannot resist; a government that forces him to pay money, render service, and forego the exercise of many of his natural rights, under peril of weighty punishments. He sees, too, that other men practice this tyranny over him by the use of the ballot. He sees further, that, if he will but use the ballot himself, he has some chance of relieving himself from this tyranny of others, by subjecting them to his own. In short, he finds himself, without his consent, so situated that, if he use the ballot, he may become a master of his destiny; if he does not use it, he must become a victim of the status quo. And he has no other alternative than these two. In self- defence, he attempts the former. His case is analogous to that of a man who has been forced into battle, where he must either kill others, or be killed himself. Because, to save his own life in battle, a man takes the lives of his opponents, it is not to be inferred that the battle is one of his own choosing. Neither in contests with the ballot -- which is a mere substitute for a bullet -- because, as his only chance of self- preservation, a man uses a ballot, is it to be inferred that the contest is one into which he voluntarily entered; that he voluntarily set up all his own natural rights, as a stake against those of others, to be lost or won by the mere power of numbers. On the contrary, it is to be considered that, in an exigency into which he had been forced by others, and in which no other means of self-defence offered, he, as a matter of necessity, used the only one that was left to him. "Doubtless the most miserable of men, under the most oppressive government in the world, if allowed the ballot, would use it, if they could see any chance of thereby meliorating their condition. But it would not, therefore, be a legitimate inference that the government itself that crushes them was one which they had voluntarily set up, or even consented to”. "Therefore, a man's voting under the Constitution of Sierra Leone, is not to be taken as evidence that he ever freely assented to the Constitution, even for the time being. Consequently we have no proof that any very large portion, even of the actual voters of Sierra Leone, ever really understands and voluntarily consented to the Constitution, even for the Time being. Nor can we ever have such proof, until every man is left perfectly free to consent, or not, without thereby subjecting himself or his property to be disturbed or injured by others." As we can have no legal knowledge as to who votes from choice, and who from the necessity thus forced upon him, we can have no legal knowledge, as to any particular individual that he voted from choice; or, consequently, that by voting and he consented, or pledged himself, to support the government. Legally speaking, therefore, the act of voting utterly fails to pledge any one to support the government. It utterly fails to prove that the government rests upon the voluntary support of anybody. On general principles of law and reason, it cannot be said that the government has any voluntary supporters at all, until it can be distinctly shown who its voluntary supporters are. All the usurpations and tyrannies of governments present and past, taking a man's property without his consent, threatening his life then to infer his consent because he attempts to speak out or supports an opposition, by voting for a change to prevent that property from being used to his injury, is a very insufficient proof of his consent to support the Constitution. It is, in fact, no proof at all. And as we can have no legal knowledge as to who the particular individuals are, if there are any, who are willing to be bribed for the sake of voting, we can have no legal knowledge that any particular individual consents to be bribed for the sake of voting; or, consequently, consents to support the Constitution. At nearly all elections, votes are given for various candidates for the same office. Those who vote for the unsuccessful candidates cannot properly be said to have voted to sustain the Constitution. They may, with more reason, be supposed to have voted, not to support the Constitution, but specially to prevent the tyranny which they anticipate the successful candidate intends to practice upon them under colour of the Constitution; and therefore may reasonably be supposed to have voted against the Constitution itself. This supposition is the more reasonable, in as much as such voting is the only mode allowed to them of expressing their dissent to the Constitution. Many votes are usually given for candidates who have no prospect of success. Those who give such votes may reasonably be supposed to have voted as they did, with a special intention, not to support, but to obstruct the execution of, the Constitution; and, therefore, against the Constitution itself. As all the different votes are given secretly (by secret ballot), there is no legal means of knowing, from the votes themselves, who votes for, and who votes against, the Constitution. Therefore, voting affords no legal evidence that any particular individual supports the Constitution. And where there can be no legal evidence that any particular individual supports the Constitution, it cannot legally be said that anybody supports it. It is clearly impossible to have any legal proof of the intentions of large numbers of men, where there can be no legal proof of the intentions of any particular one of them. There being no legal proof of any man's intentions, in voting, we can only conjecture them. As a conjecture, it is probable, that a very large proportion of those who vote, do so on this principle, viz., that if, by voting, they could but get the government into their own hands (or that of their friends), and use its powers against their opponents, they would then willingly support the Constitution; but if their opponents are to have the power, and use it against them, then they would NOT willingly support the Constitution. In short, men's voluntary support of the Constitution is doubtless, in most cases, wholly contingent upon the question whether, by means of the Constitution, they can make themselves masters, or are to be made victims. Such contingent consent as that is, in law and reason, no consent at all. As all voting is secret (by secret ballot), and as all secret governments are necessarily only secret bands of robbers, tyrants, and murderers, the general fact that our government is practically carried on by means of such voting, only proves that there is among us a secret band of robbers, tyrants, and murderers, whose purpose is to rob, victimise, persecute, violates human right, and, so far as necessary to accomplish their purposes, suffer the rest of the people. For all the reasons that have now been given, voting furnishes no legal evidence as to who the particular individuals are (if there are any), who voluntarily support the Constitution. It therefore furnishes no legal evidence that anybody supports it voluntarily. So far, therefore, as voting is concerned, the Constitution, legally speaking, has no supporters at all. And, as a matter of fact, there is not the slightest probability that the Constitution has a single bona fide supporter in the country. That is to say, there is not the slightest probability that there is a single man in the country, who both understands what the Constitution really is, and sincerely supports it for what it really is. The ostensible supporters of the Constitution, like the ostensible supporters of most other governments, are made up of three classes, viz.: 1. Knaves, a numerous and active class, who see in the government an instrument which they can use for their own aggrandizement or wealth. 2. Dupes -- a large class, no doubt -- each of whom, because he is allowed one voice out of millions in deciding what he may do with his own person and his own property, and because he is permitted to have the same voice in robbing, victimising, and murdering others, that others have in robbing, victimising, and murdering himself, is stupid enough to imagine that he is a "free man," a "sovereign"; that this is "a free government"; "a government of equal rights," "the best government on earth," and such like absurdities. Suppose it is "the best government on earth," does that prove its own goodness, or only the badness of all other governments? 3. A class who have some appreciation of the evils of government, but either do not see how to get rid of them, or do not choose to so far sacrifice their private interests as to give themselves seriously the same, The mercenary takes solely upon himself the responsibility, danger, and crime of his own act. He does not pretend that he has any rightful claim to your money, or that he intends to use it for your own benefit. He does not pretend to be anything but a mercenary. He has not acquired impudence enough to profess to be merely a "protector," and that he takes men's money against their will, merely to enable him to "protect" those infatuated citizens, who feel perfectly able to protect themselves, or do not appreciate his peculiar system of protection. He is too sensible a man to make such professions as these. Furthermore, having taken your money, he leaves you, as you wish him to do. He does not persist in following you, against your will; assuming to be your rightful "sovereign," on account of the "protection" he affords you. He does not keep "protecting" you, by commanding you to bow down and serve him; by requiring you to do this, and forbidding you to do that; by robbing you of more money as often as he finds it for his interest or pleasure to do so; and by branding you as a rebel, a traitor, and an enemy to your country, and shooting you down without mercy, if you dispute his authority, or resist his demands. He is too much of a gentleman to be guilty of such impostures, and insults as these. All political power, so called, rests practically upon this matter of money. Any number of scoundrels, having money enough to start with, can establish themselves as a political party then a "government"; because, with money, they can hire mercenaries, thugs, militias, and with this extort more money; and also compel general obedience to their will. It is with government, as Caesar said it was in war, that money and soldiers mutually supported each other; that with money he could hire soldiers, and with soldiers extorts money. So these so called politicians, who call themselves governments, well understand that their power rests primarily upon money. With money they can hire thugs, militias, mercenaries, and with this composition extort power and money. And, when their authority is denied, the first use they always make of money is to apply the same formula to kill or subdue all who challenges or threatening their political survival. For this reason, whoever desires freedom and liberty, should understand these vital facts, viz.: 1. That every man who puts his resources or money into the hands of a bad or rotten "government" (so called), puts into its hands a sword which will be used against him, to extort from him, and also to keep him in subjection to its arbitrary will. 2. That those who will take his human resources or money, without his consent, in the first place, will use it for his further exploitation, robbery and victimisation, if he presumes to resist their demands in the future. 3. That it is a perfect absurdity to suppose that any body of men would ever take a man's property or resources without his consent, for any such object as they profess to take it for, viz., that of protecting him; for why should they wish to protect him, if he does not wish them to do so? To suppose that they would do so, is just as absurd as it would be to suppose that they would take his money without his consent, for the purpose of buying food or clothing for him, when he did not want it. 4. If a man wants "protection," he is competent to make his own bargains for it; and nobody has any occasion to rob him, in order to "protect" him against his will. 5. That the only security men can have for their political liberty consists in their keeping their resources or money in their own pockets, until they have assurances, perfectly satisfactory to themselves, that it will be used as they wish it to be used, for their benefit, and not for their injury. 6. That no government, so called, can reasonably be trusted for a moment, or reasonably be supposed to have honest purposes in view, any longer than it depends wholly upon voluntary support whether from external sources or internal. All has a price tag to it. Our problem in Sierra Leone paints a grim picture in respect of the integrity of our politicians and the ruling classes who are now utterly condemned. It would appear that they do not have or appreciate the true values and methods of good political leadership and governance. Going down this road sooner than later will finally affect the fundamental attitude of the man in the street and would have been altered irrevocably his confidence and self esteem to participate in any political or civil dispensation with respect to country. The universal problem of all time with men of quality, integrity, empathy and a clear understanding of what drives and motivates the "average man", is that because they need to be absolutely focused on the way forward and the overall objectives of the Big Picture - their rear is always vulnerable to attack from the less than scrupulous members of their society. Those driven by jealousy, greed and self indulgence will always be found hanging around the fringes of the "royal court" influencing the process to their benefit and to the detriment of society. Hamlet & Richard 11 should be compulsory reading for any aspiring politicians or leader, whether it is business, politics or good governance. The bard has lessons from which we can still derive direction and attitude. As I have said many times "it is only changed people who can change things". We can all change our attitudes to anything - it is the only real thing about ourselves that we can change. To change the attitudes of the masses ... now there is a challenge. More than a challenge it is a vocation. There is always hope. Whilst there is hope in the hearts of those who really care there is always the real chance of success. Bad causes always die. They are against the innate Laws of the Universe. They are against the Laws of our God. But the Laws of God only bring positive benefit upon those whom he considers worthy of His Trust... And that can take the journey of a lifetime. There are no longer just a few voices in the wilderness - there is now a ground swell of opinion that is demanding genuine, real and lasting change at grass roots level. History has proven time after time that the common man when motivated to challenge for the recognition of his true spirit and rights of existence cannot be denied by any power on earth. That is when the power of the universe and Gods Laws come into their own domain here on earth and mountains are moved. Part 2: Coming up soon……. juxonsmith@aol.com

MILLENNIUM EXPERIENCE for AFRICA into the 21st CENTURY
24th November 1999	Communication-Information-Technology
Bridgeing the Gap for Africa into the Global Highway for Digital Communications, making it a Priority and not a Priviledge.
After spending close to 15 months with the IT and Communications Industry, I was able to conclude that Africa has still not taken a positive approach, mapping out a common blueprint and initiative which can cut across its continent. The Internet is a very complex tool. It is a pool of information where you can easily drown yourself or get lost in the ocean of information, not knowing were to begin or were it ends. A lot of people are intimidated by the vocabulary of the internet, making it very difficult to even contemplate wanting to surf or browse it. In Africa, we are already crippled by outdated infrastructures which are not compatible to migrate with existing developments that rendered us impotent in enjoying communications. Transafrica2000 wants to support Governments,local parastatals and donor agencies in making the right choices, which can suit the present realities in given situations. If you look at present communication infrastructures, you will realise that costly they may have been, they fall short of expectation in serving the overall purpose it was initiated for. In a nutshell we provide communication for less than 15% of our population in and around majority of the African countries, which is mainly responsible for our social, educational and political instability and uncertainty. Lack of proper dissemination of information will always lead a country to chaos,unrest,anarchy which are all composite of hearsay and gossip. Our pledge into the Millennium is to provide at least reasonable form and means of communication for Africa in other to educate and improve the capacity and capability of our people which will in the final analysis develop our standards. Communication is education and education is information. By Syl Juxon Smith To be continue E-mail your ideas and articles which we can publish here on news..news...news Watch out for our main homepage which will be the general link page for all African Countries,Resources,Businesses and profiles of African leaders, their political climate and economic potentials. If you are interested to have a promotional page or link, please e-mail us with your details or wait for further information when the test site under construction will be up. And also we will be coming up with our E-commerce trade shopping village for African businesses for selling products, advertising and promotions. If you want a page or space we can design your page, register your name and give you your own link at a very reasonable cost.... Talk to us at TransAfrica2000 the African Solution.

GSM COVERAGE
25th August 2001	MOBILE PHONES
Using your Mobile Phones overseas and knowing your service providers.
Sierra Leone service providers are Celtel (SL) Limited Millicom Sierra Leone GSM Satellite and 3G network operators worldwide. Details of roaming services information for more than 400 operators in 171 countries/areas of the world. Albania - Greece - Oman, Sultanate of Algeria - Greenland - Pakistan American Samoa - Guam (USA) Palestinian Authority Andorra - Guernsey - Papua New Guinea Angola - Guinea - Paraguay Antigua & Barbuda - Hong Kong - Peru Argentina - Hungary - Philippines Armenia, Republic of Iceland - Poland Australia - India - Portugal Austria - Indonesia - Qatar Azerbaijan, Republic of Iran Reunion (La) Bahrain - Ireland - Romania Bangladesh - Isle of Man - Russia Belarus, Republic of Israel - Rwanda, Republic of Belgium - Italy - Sao Tome and Principe Benin - Jamaica - Satellite Bermuda - Japan - Saudi Arabia Bolivia - Jersey - Senegal Bosnia Herzegovina - Jordan - Seychelles Botswana - Kazakhstan - Sierra Leone Brunei- Darussalam - Kenya - Singapore Bulgaria - Kuwait - Slovak Republic Burkina Faso - Kyrgyz Republic Slovenia Burundi - Lao - Somalia Cambodia, Kingdom of Latvia - South Africa Cameroon - Lebanon - South Korea Canada - Lesotho - Spain Cape Verde - Liberia - Sri Lanka Central African Republic - Libya - Sudan Chad - Liechtenstein - Suriname Chile - Lithuania - Swaziland China, Peoples Republic of Luxembourg - Sweden Congo - Macau - Switzerland Congo, Democratic Republic of Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Syria Cote d'Ivoire - Madagascar - Taiwan Croatia - Malawi - Tanzania Cuba - Malaysia - Thailand Cyprus - Maldives - Togo Czech Republic - Mali - Tonga Denmark - Malta - Tunisia Dominican Republic - Mauritania - Turkey Egypt - Mauritius - Turkmenistan El Salvador - Mexico - U.S.A. Equatorial Guinea - Moldova, Republic of Uganda Estonia - Monaco - Ukraine Ethiopia - Mongolia - United Arab Emirates Faroe Islands - Morocco - United Kingdom Fiji - Mozambique - Uzbekistan Finland - Myanmar - Vanuatu France - Namibia - Venezuela French Polynesia - Nepal - Vietnam French West Indies - Netherlands - Virgin Islands (USA) Gabon, Republic of Netherlands Antilles - Yemen Gambia - New Caledonia - Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Georgia - New Zealand - Zambia Germany - Niger - Zimbabwe Ghana - Nigeria Gibraltar - Norway

Guiding you in Making the Right Choices
27th December 2000	COMMUNICATIONS - INFRASTRUCTURES AND ACCESSORIES
Your knowledge about a product you are about to buy or decide on, is very important in enabling and assisting you in making wise decisions and good investments. I will be covering communication equipments, infrastructures and accessories, bringing the knowledge of the products to your door step, so that when you find your self in a position wanting to decide upon what or which is good for you, you would have been in a position to make things easier. In africa the sincere truth is that we buy commodities including infrastructures for local use, for which we don`t have enough information on. This is one of the reason behind the lack of effective and efficient use of our basic infrastructures which we spend so much on.
In Africa we tend to confuse ourselves as to what operating system we have in our respective countries. There are different types of system available. The main basic ones commonly used are the analogue system with CDMA and TDMA features and the GSM. Below are information for your perusal. GSM The development of GSM started in the early 1980s. It was seen then as the mainstay of the plans for Europe´s mobile communication infrastructure for the 1990s. Today, GSM and its DCS 1800 and PCS 1900 versions have spread far beyond Western Europe with networks installed across all continents. The story begins in 1982 when the European Conference of Posts and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), consisting then of the telecommunication administrations of twenty six nations made two very significant decisions. The first was to establish a team with the title "Groupe Spéciale Mobile" (hence the term "GSM", which today stands for Global System for Mobile Communications) to develop a set of common standards for a future pan-European cellular network. The second was to recommend that two blocks of frequencies in the 900 MHz band be set aside for the system. The CEPT made these decisions in an attempt to solve the problems created by the uncoordinated development of individual national mobile communication systems using incompatible standards. The impossibility of using the same terminal in different countries whilst traveling across Europe was one of these problems; another was the difficulty of establishing a Europe-wide mobile communications industry that would be competitive in world markets due to the lack of a sufficiently larger home market with common standards - with its attendant economies of scale. By 1986 it was clear that some of these analogue cellular networks would run out of capacity by the early 1990s. As a result, a directive was issued for two blocks of frequencies in the 900 MHz band, albeit somewhat smaller than recommended by the CEPT, to be reserved absolutely for a pan-European service to be opened in 1991. In the meantime the GSM members were making excellent progress with the development of agreed standards. One major decision was to adopt a digital rather than an analogue system. The digital system would offer improved spectrum efficiency, better quality transmission and new services with enhanced features including security. It would also permit the use of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology which would lead to smaller and cheaper mobiles, including hand held terminals. Finally, a digital approach would complement the development of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) with which GSM would have to interface. GSM initially stood for Group Spécial Mobile, the CEPT (Conference of European Posts & Telegraphs) formed the group to develop a Pan-European cellular system to replace the many systems already in place in Europe that were all incompatible. The main features of GSM were to be International Roaming ability, good sound quality, small cheap handsets and ability to handle high volumes of users. GSM was taken over in 1989 by the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and they finalised the GSM standard in 1990. GSM service started in 1991. It was also renamed this year to Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). Today there are approx. 105 countries with GSM networks or planned networks and many more are planned with around 32 million subscribers world wide on the 139 networks. This accounts for over 25% of the world's cellular market. The MoU "Memorandum of Understanding" has over 210 members from 105 countries, this organisation meets ever three to four months to look at new or better implementations to the GSM system.The quality of Voice in the GSM system must be better then that achieved by the 900MHz analogue systems over all the operating conditions. The system must offer encryption of user information The system must operate in the entire frequency band 890-915MHz and 935-960MHz. An international standardised signaling system must be used to allow the interconnection of mobile switching center's and location registers. Minimise modifications to the existing fixed public networks. Design the system so handset costs are minimised Handsets must be able to be used in all participating countries Maximum flexibility for other services like ISDN System should maximise the functions and services available to cater for the special nature of mobile communications. GSM Information Quality With digital, sound quality is sharp and clear. Background sounds and static are vastly reduced and crossed-line conversations are also eliminated. In comparison with analogue there are also far fewer dropouts, and overall the quality is more like that of a fixed telephone. Security Unlike analogue, everything you say and send within the digital network is safe and secure. Some features are user authentication that prohibits unauthorised access, encryption key distribution that guarantees the privacy of the call and caller identification restrictions that can prevent the delivery of the calling users number to the receiver. Convenience With digital, better technology means better battery life. You get up to twice as much talk time from each battery charge, compared with analogue. In addition the digital service allows more calls to be handled at any one time, therefore reducing congestion in areas of dense population and high usage. Roaming With digital, you are able to use your mobile phone, and number in other countries around the world who operate a GSM network. Click HERE to view the list of GSM operators around the world. Or you can just take your SIM card and use another GSM phone. Your home carrier must have a roaming agreement in place and must be notified before leaving so that you can be activated in that country. All you need to do is switch on the phone at your destination and you will automatically log into the network. Dependent on the country you can still use your old SIM, but some countries will require you to get a loan SIM from your carrier before going there. This will give you a new number whilst in that country but you can easily set up a diversion to the new number if need be. GSM Phase 1 features Call Forwarding All Calls No Answer Engaged Unreachable Call Barring Outgoing - Bar certain outgoing calls(e.g. ISD) Incoming - Bar certain incoming calls (Useful if in another country) Global roaming - Visit any other country with GSM and a roaming agreement and use your phone and existing number* (see section on roaming) GSM Phase 2 features SMS - Short Message Service - Allows you to send text messages too and from phones Multi Party Calling - Talk to five other parties as well as yourself at the same time Call Holding - Place a call on Hold Call Waiting - Notifies you of another call whilst on a call Mobile Data Services - Allows handsets to communicate with computers Mobile Fax Service - Allows handsets to send, retrieve and receive faxes Calling Line Identity Service - This facility allows you to see the telephone number of the incoming caller on our handset before answering Advice of Charge - Allows you to keep track of call costs Cell Broadcast - Allows you to subscribe to local news channels Mobile Terminating Fax - Another number you are issued with that receives faxes that you can then download to the nearest fax machine. GSM Phase 2 + features Available by 1998 Upgrade and improvements to existing services Majority of the upgrade concerns data transmission, including bearer services and packet switched data at 64 kbit/s and above DECT access to GSM PMR/Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR)-like capabilities GSM in the local loop Virtual Private Networks Packet Radio SIM enhancements Premium rate services (eg Stock prices sent to your phone) GSM 96 features In fact, there is no such thing as GSM 96. In MoU SERG there is a document called SE.03. In SE.03 you find the date for implementation of services. The date is 'coded' E in case this is essential at the start of operation of a GSM network. Services of that kind are: TS11 (basic speech), TS12 (emergency calls/112), SMS MT, Call forwarding/Call barring services and data/fax. Then there are E96 services, servrvices to be implemented for roamers before end 1996. The only service in this section is ODB Phase 2. (ODB=Operator Determined Barring). E97 is SMS MO (Short Message/Mobile Originated). The list for E98 is longer. One reason is to put presure on suppliers. Services included are CAMEL (to support PNP as a start), SOR, USSD, HSCSD and GPRS. The GSM Network comprises three parts, Mobile Station (MS) which is similar to a cordless phone with extra features, the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) that controls the connection with the Mobile Station, the Base Station Controller (BSC) that controls multiply Base Transceiver Station's and then the rest of the network covered further below.. Mobile Station (MS) A Digital Mobile Phone and a SIM card make up the Mobile Station. The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) is a card that fits into your handset and is one of two sizes - either full size (same size as a credit card) or the smaller plug in version. The SIM microprocessor is based on a silicon chip which is designed to tolerate temperatures between -25 Degrees Celsius and +70 Degrees Celsius, and will also withstand up to 85% humidity. However silicon is fragile and, therefore, if the card is tampered with, physically or electronically, the card will be rendered useless. The SIM contains all of your identification details, such as your IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity. This is a numeric string, where the first 3 digits represent the country where the SIM is from, the next represent the operator in that specific country. The other digits represent the subscribers identity in his home-network), phone memories, billing information, SMS text messages, pin numbers and international roaming information. A IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) card is the serial number of the GSM phone that is the equivalent of the ESN number in a Analogue Phone, this is fixed in the phone and cannot be changed. The SIM card contains a IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) number that identifies the user to the network along with other user and security information. Base Transceiver Station (BTS) The Base Transceiver Station consists of a radio transceiver with antenna that covers a single cell. It handles the communications with the MS via radio interface. BTS are all connected together to allow you to move from one cell to another. The antenna can take on various forms, in the UK lampposts are being used, but normally it has three directional cells. Base Station Controller (BSC) The Base Station Controller manages multiple BTS's. It controls the allocation and release of radio channels and handovers between cells. A series of BTS's are connected to each Base Station Controller, the BSC keeps a eye on each call and decides when to pass the call off to another BTS and to which one. The Rest of the Network Several BSC's are controlled by the Mobile service Switching Center (MSC), the MSC works with four databases (HLR, VLR, EIR and the AuC) and together they manage the communications between Mobile Station user and the other network types. Each of the databases has a separate job, these are as follows Mobile Switching Center (MSC) The Mobile Switching Center is the interface between the base station system and the switching subsystem of the mobile phone network. Furthermore, the MSC is also the interface between the cellular network and the PSTN. The MSC generates all billing records and ensures that all usage is directed to the appropriate account. The MSC has a relatively complex task, as unlike a conventional telephone exchange, when GSM subscribers make calls they could be anywhere within the network. The MSC must ensure that calls are routed through to those subscribers, wherever they are and wherever they move to throughout the duration of each cell. This situation becomes even more complex when two mobile subscribers wish to contact each other from two distant locations. In order to simplify the subscriber management function, a specific service area is allocated to each MSC. The MSC has to control the switching of tariff to and from the subscribers within it's service area which involves the coordination of all radio resources and the inter cell hand-off activities. Home Location Register (HLR) The HLR is the central data base for all the subscribers which contains details on the identity of each subscriber, the services to which they have access and the locations where the subscriber was last registered. All subscriber administration procedures are communicated to the HLR where the data is stored until it is required by another part of the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). The two key references used to route calls to each subscriber are the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) number. The IMSI is the unique number allocated to the subscriber which is stored in the SIM Card and is used by the network for internal communications. When the SIM Card is inserted into a Mobile Equipment it becomes a Mobile Station. The MSISDN is the subscriber's mobile number which is linked to the IMSI in the HLR. Incoming calls to a subscriber are translated back to the IMSI at the HLR thus enabling them to be delivered to the Mobile Station. Once the Mobile Station's MSISDN has been used to identify the IMSI, the HLR verifies the subscription records to ensure that the call can be delivered to the last known location of the Mobile Station. Visitor's Location Register (VLR) The VLR is a database that is linked to an MSC and temporarily stares information about each Mobile Station within the area served by that MSC. The information that is temporarily stored in the VLR is sufficient to allow any Mobile Station within that MSC area to make and receive calls. This includes the Mobile Station's identity, the area in which it was last registered and data pertaining to the subscriber and any supplementary services that have been selected by the subscriber. The MSC refers to the VLR each time that a Mobile Station attempts to make a call in order to verify that the request can be fulfilled. This process is to establish that no call restrictions or call barring instructions are in place. Equipment Identity Register (EIR) The EIR ensures that all Mobile Equipment's are valid and authorised to function on the PLMN. Three categories exist on the EIR, a white list, a gray list and a black list. The white list comprises the IMEI ranges of all the Mobile Equipment's that have been approved by any one of the three European, GSM approval centers. Any Mobile Equipment that appears on the gray list will be allowed to function but will trigger an alert to the network operator. This facility allows the network operator to identify any subscriber that is using a lost or stolen Mobile Equipment. Mobiles that are lost or stolen can be blacklisted which will prevent them from functioning on the home PLMN or on other PLMNs around the world. Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) A central EIR is managed by the MoU Permanent Secretariat in Dublin, Ireland. Every MoU member is committed to linking their network's EIR to the CEIR by January 1995. The advantage in having the CEIR concept is that it empowers each network operator to restrict or prevent the operation of any given MS throughout all PLMNs that are linked up to the CEIR. Authentication Center (AUC) The authentication center is used to validate the SIM Card being used by the Mobile Station. Secret information that is held in the AUC and which is also contained within the SIM Card is used to perform a complex mathematical calculation. Authentication occurs if the results of these two calculations agree. SMSC (SMS Center or Service Center), the SMSC handled all the SMS messages that are sent. The messages are sent on a data channel so you can receive them whilst on a call. GMSC (Gateway MSC), is a gateway switch where the call is directed when setting up a call to a GSM user. The GMSC looks for the subscriber by interrogating the right HLR which then interrogates the VLR and routes the incoming call towards the MSC where the subscriber can be reached. Conclusion The truly international standard of GSM has been crucial to it's success worldwide. This has created a large market for mobile equipment and promotes widespread competition amongst manufacturers and cheaper prices for phones and network equipment. GSM also has all the features above in GSM Features and many more will be added as the networks develop more. GSM has developed to the point where it will be used in all countries (including Japan and America), to facilitate easy roaming and the ultimate in convient personal communications. Countries like America have networks now based on GSM but instead of in the 900MHz are they operate at 1800MHz and 1900MHz. To be continue.....

African Telecom Summit 2000
29th November 2000	COMMUNICATIONS
ATTITUDES-TRANSPARENCY-LACK OF VISION AND WILL Do we have a clear objective and a well define policy for Communication, Information and Technology for Africa into the MILLENNIUM!!!! My dream for an INTEGRATED NETWORK FOR AFRICA
The African Telecom Summit 2000 was held in GHANA on the 21st-23rd March 2000. It was attended by African Ministers responsible for Telecommunications, senior advisers from institutions such as the International Telecommunications Union(ITU), African Telecommunications Union and the OAU. The figure of attendance by African Ministers is not an encouraging or healthy signal at all. It was attended by 9 Ministers including the host country. if you look at the total countries in the African continent which is well over 50 countries, this is not a positive sign. 90% of Operators, Service Providers and Representation were made up of NIGERIAN and GHANIAN businessmen and companies. To name a few from SOUTH AFRICA-KENYA-GAMBIA-GUINEA and IVORY COAST. While the world is looking at Communications from a global perspective, we in Africa are not doing enough to make it an African priority which is the prerequisite and recipe for progress and development. Africa must start by defining a policy which can create a Standard`s Agency in every country to form part of an AFRICAN INTEGRATED NETWORK SYSTEM. This body should be able to maintain datas of all operating systems and infrastructures in AFRICA. To guide governments and business investments in procurements and warranty. To ensure compatibility with existing systems in other African countries and adaptability to local networks and infrastructures. This Agency will liase with Government, Regulate, monitor and control the use of Communications. Develop new concepts for improvements of existing infrastructure, creating a level playing field for investments opportunity that is benificial not only to the investor but to the country in general. When we begin to entertain this type of concept, then we are ready to be one and a family. To move from one country to the other and still use my communication means. VOICE-DATA-FAX through an INTEGRATED NETWORKING cost effective solution. In Europe you can take your mobile phone from one country to the other with out any problem using your same number. A system called ROAMING. We can do the same in AFRICA. By Syl Juxon Smith

Africa`s Best Solution
29th November 2000	BIOMETRICS TECHNOLOGY
National IDs, Passports, Drivers Licenses, Digital secure Data exchange, Certificates and Digital Signatures to ensure authenticity, Voters Registration system, National Data storage system.
Biometrics technologies are defined as automated methods of verifying or recognizing the identity of a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. Various examples are the iris pattern, the retina pattern, voice patterns, hand geometry and fingerprints. Identification fraud costs governments and business billions of dollars annually in AFRICA. Biometrics Technology can support reliable, accurate identification and verification of individuals to reduce fraud, and can also streamline the process associated with personal identification for further cost-savings. It is very imperative that African governments and the private sector ie. BANKS-INDUSTRIES-EMBASSIES-AIRLINES-LOCAL GOVERNMENTS etc, embark in large scale identification projects. These projects should be characterized by the building of an identification infrastructure using new technologies like BIOMETRICS. Large scale Identity Document (ID) programs are attractive because of their economies of scale. The term "ID" encompasses National IDs, Passports and Drivers Licenses. IDs allow governments to administer activities where identification is critical, such as e-commerce, Payment of Salaries, Voting, Border Control, Security and Public Safety. There are two basic requirements common to all these programs; the ID must be tamper proof and very difficult to falsify, and all citizens must have only one ID. If the ID itself contains a biometric, it is possible to automatically verify the citizens identity at the time of a legal or commercial transaction. The combination of "one citizen one card" and the capability to machine-verify the person`s identity makes large scale ID programs very desirable. Although the identity documents issued have their official purpose, both the public and private sector benefit from the identification infrastructure. For African countries with poor electricity supply, there are stand alone and portable automatic identity verification systems available in handheld, counter and wall mount configuration for OFFICES, BORDER CONTROL-AIRPORTS-IMMIGRATION and SECURITY. PRIORITIES IN A LARGE SCALE ID PROJECT Eliminate identification fraud to ensure fair elections. Improving the national security by detecting multiple IDs Control borders entry/exit Issue a card that is irreproducible, with anti-counterfeit security, not modifiable and looks good. Provide identifications services ( digitized photos, fingerprints and signature) to both private and public sector. Improve the services of application and delivery of IDs to citizens. For more information on projects and other needs Contact: Syl Juxon Smith TransAfrica2000.com juxonsmith@cs.com